'Texas Chain Saw Massacre' star Gunnar Hansen dies

In an interview taped months before his death, Gunnar Hansen, the actor who played Leatherface in 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,' remembered a close call with a chain saw during the making of the film.
VPC

Gunnar Hansen, known for playing Leatherface in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," has died at 68.(Photo: Albert L. Ortega)

Gunnar Hansen, who played the iconic villain Leatherface in the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre, died Saturday of pancreatic cancer at his home in Maine, his agent said. He was 68.

Hansen starred in the 1974 film that has become a classic among horror-movie aficionados and spawned a series of sequels. In the movie, friends visiting their grandfather's house are hunted by Leatherface, a chain-saw wielding maniac.

Hansen's character in the movie "is one of the most iconic evil figures in the history of cinema," said his agent, Mike Eisenstadt, who confirmed the death.

In 2013, Hansen published his book Chain Saw Confidential, which gave readers a behind-the-scenes look at how the film was made, Eisenstadt said.

Hansen lived in Maine for about 40 years, where he worked as an actor and writer, Eisenstadt said.

At the time of his death, Hansen was at work on a film called Death House, his agent said. Hansen was a writer and producer of the film, which the Internet Movie Database says is about how a secret government facility becomes ground zero for the most horrific prison break in the history of mankind. The film is scheduled to come out next year, Eisenstadt said.

Hansen was born in Reykjavik, Iceland. He came to the U.S. and studied at the University of Texas, where he majored in English and Scandinavian Studies, Eisenstadt said.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Sept. 3, 2019: Carol Lynley, a lovely model and actress whose film career is highlighted by the 1972 smash "The Poseidon Adventure," has died. Her other films include "The Pleasure Seekers" (with Ann-Margret), "Blue Denim" (with Brandon De Wilde) and "The Stripper" (with Joanne Woodward). She was 77. ITC Entertainment

August 2019: Kip Addotta, a comedian who made more than 20 appearances on Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show" in the '70s and '80s, has died. Addotta was 75; his family didn't release a date of death or cause, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Special to The Republic

Aug. 16, 2019: Peter Fonda, an actor and filmmaker who made waves with the 1969 counterculture classic "Easy Rider," has died. The son of Henry Fonda and the younger sibling of Jane Fonda, the actor also earned an Oscar nomination for 1997's "Ulee's Gold." He was 79. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

July 19: Rutger Hauer, a Dutch actor who brought a sense menace to such films as "Blade Runner," "The Hitcher" and "Nighthawks," has died. He was 75; survivors include his wife of 50 years, Ineke ten Cate, and a daughter, actress Aysha Hauer. Craig Blankenhorn/HBO

July 18, 2019: David Hedison, a handsome, versatile actor who played a doomed scientist in the 1958 sci-fi classic "The Fly," has died. Hedison also starred in the 1964-1968 TV series "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" and a 1991-1996 run on the NBC soap opera "Another World." He played James Bond ally Felix Leiter in "Live and Let Die" (1973) and "Licence to Kill" (1989. Hedison was 92. 20th Century Fox

July 22, 2019: Art Neville, a founding member of music's the Neville Brothers and the Meters, has died. In a career that spanned more than 50 years, Neville won two Grammys and the Meters earned a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was 81. Michael Dunlap/The News-Star

July 16, 2019: Johnny Clegg, a vibrant singer-songwriter who was also an outspoken opponent of apartheid, has died. The South African musician was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. He was 66. Special to The Republic

July 10, 2019: Valentina Cortese, an Oscar-nominated actress, has died. The Italian actress garnered an Oscar nomination in 1975 for her performance in Francois Truffaut’s “Day for Night.” Her movie career began in the '40s and included such films as Federico Fellini’s “Juliet of the Spirits” and Franco Zeffirelli’s “Brother Sun, Sister Moon.” She was 96. Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images

July 9, 2019: Actor Rip Torn died at 88. Torn was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Tony Award, and he won the Emmy in 1996 for one of his most memorable roles as the unflappable Artie, the producer of a floridly dysfunctional talk show on “The Larry Sanders Show." LOUIS LANZANO, AP

July 6, 2019: Cameron Boyce, a former child actor who appeared in the Disney Channel franchise "Descendants" and such films as "Eagle Eye," "Mirrors," "Grown Ups" and its sequel, has died. His family released a statement saying that the young star "passed away in his sleep due to a seizure that was a result of an ongoing medical condition for which he was being treated." He was 20. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

July 6, 2019: Martin Charnin, a Broadway lyricist and director, has died. His best-known work is 1977's classic "Annie." He won two Emmy Awards and one Tony in his career. He was 84. John Raoux/Orlando Sentinel

July 6, 2019: Brazilian musician Joao Gilberto, a pioneer of the bossa nova sound that swept across the music world in the '60s, has died. His recording of "The Girl From Ipanema" with jazz saxophonist Stan Getz earned a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1965. He was 88. Ari Versiani/AFP/Getty Images

July 3, 2019: Arte Johnson, an Emmy-winning comic actor, has died. Johnson earned his Emmy and great success for for his work on the 1968-1973 sketch series "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." He was 90. Shea Walsh/ AP

June 27, 2019: Gualberto Castro, a Mexican singer who enjoyed both solo success and a career with his siblings as Los Hermanos Castro, has died. Castro’s best-known hits include “Qué Mal Amada Estás” and “Peleas,” a duet with Manoella Torres. Castro died from complications relating to bladder cancer. He was 84. La Voz

June 26, 2019: Max Wright, a veteran actor best remembered for a four-year stint playing a father figure to a lovable space alien in TV's "ALF," has died. Wright was 75. Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.

June 24, 2019: Billy Drago, an actor with dozens of credits, has died. Drago was best-known for his work as Al Capone's henchman in the 1987 gangster flick "The Untouchables." He was 73, David Buchan/Getty Images

June 22, 2019: Judith Krantz, whose sumptuous tales about love among the wealthy made her a to-selling author, has died. Her first book, "Scruples," was published when she was 50 and became a No. 1 best-seller; it was followed by "Princess Daisy," "Mistral's Daughter" and others. She was 91. Harry Langdon

June 17, 2019: Socialite, artist, author and fashion designer Gloria Vanderbilt has died. "She was 95 years old, but ask anyone close to her, and they'd tell you, she was the youngest person they knew," son Anderson Cooper said. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

June 13, 2019: Edith González, a leading TV actress in Mexico, has died. The star of such telenovelas as "Corazón Salvaje," "Eva la Trailera" and "“Mujer de Madera” had been battling cancer since 2016. She was 54. Fabiano Silva/Getty Images

June 12, 2019: Sylvia Miles, an actress known for her quirky, independent spirit, has died. She earned Oscar nominations for her work in "Midnight Cowboy" (1969) and "Farewell, My Lovely" (1975). She was 94. Scott Wintrow/Getty Images

June 9, 2019: Bushwick Bill, who helped helped put the South's stamp on rap with hits like "Mind Playing Tricks On Me" and "Six Feet Deep" through his work with the Geto Boys, has died. He was 52. Matthew Simmons/Getty Images

May 30, 2019: Leon Redbone, an unlikely music star who blended the blues, Tin Pan Alley jazz and pop to great success, has died. He released 16 albums in his career and sang the theme song to TV's "Mr. Belvedere." He retired in 2015, citing health issues as a factor. He was 69; trade-paper Variety reported the news of his death. Special to The Republic

April 29, 2019: John Singleton, the Oscar-nominated director of "Boyz n the Hood," has died following a stroke. His other films include "Poetic Justice," "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "Baby Boy." He was 51. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

April 20, 2019: Stefanie Sherk, an actress and model, has died. Sherk was married to actor Demian Bichir; she starred in "Un Cuento de Circo & A Love Song," his 2016 directorial debut. Michael Buckner/Getty Images

April 14, 2019: Bibi Andersson, a Swedish actress known for her collaborations with Ingmar Bergman, has died. She starred in 11 films by the director, including "Wild Strawberries" and "The Seventh Seal." Her other films include "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" and "The Concorde ... Airport '79." She was 83. Jarl FR Erichsen/AP

April 10, 2019: Earl Thomas Conley, a warm-voiced singer who scored more 18 No. 1 hits on the country chart in the '80s, has died. Among his greatest songs: "Fire and Smoke," "Love Out Loud," "What'd I Say," "Once in a Blue Moon," "Your Love's on the Line" and "Too Many Times." Conley was 77 and suffering from a condition similar to dementia, according to his brother, Fred Conley. Bill Welch/The Tennessean

April 7, 2019: Seymour Cassel, an Oscar-nominated character actor who was a fixture in TV and film since the late '60s, has died. The actor earned an Oscar nomination for 1969's "Faces;" he was good friends with director John Cassavetes and starred in many of his films. Cassel enjoyed an upswing with 1998's "Rushmore," which led to such films as "The Royal Tenenbaums," "Stuck on You" and "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou." Cassel was 84; he had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

April 6, 2019: Jim Glaser, a country singer-songwriter who enjoyed both solo success and a career with his brothers, has died. As the youngest member of Tompall & the Glaser Brothers, he was part of a trio that enjoyed their biggest hit with a recording of Kris Kristofferson's "Lovin' Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again," which reached No. 2 in Billboard in 1980. Four years later, Glaser topped the Billboard country chart as a solo act with "You're Gettin' to Me Again." As a songwriter, he wrote "Woman, Woman," which became a million-seller for Gary Puckett & the Union Gap in 1968. Glaser, 82, died of a heart attack, according to a post on his official Facebook page. Erika Goldring/Getty Images

March 31, 2019: Rapper Nipsey Hussle died after being shot multiple times outside the storefront for his clothing company, called The Marathon Clothing, in Los Angeles. The performer was 33. Gregg DeGuire, Getty Images

March 25, 2019: The death of singer/songwriter Scott Walker was announced. The performer served as lead singer for '60s band the Walker Brothers, which enjoyed such hits as "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" and "Make It Easy on Yourself." He later emerged as an avant-garde musician in the 1980s, attracting a new legion of fans. He was 76. Philips Records

March 16, 2019: Dick Dale, an influential guitarist who rose to fame in the 1960s and continued to tour into his 80s, has died. Known as the "king of the surf guitar," Dale began performing with his group, the Del-Tones, in the early '60s. His debut album, "Surfer's Choice," appeared in 1962. He also appeared in the 1963 film "Beach Party" with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon; he later appeared in "Muscle Beach Party" (1964) and "Back to the Beach" (1987) with the duo. His career experienced a resurgence in the '80s that continued into the next century. He was 81. Donna Bolanci

March 9, 2019: Jed Allan, an actor who starred for eight years on "Days of Our Lives," has died. His other credits include regular roles on "Santa Barbara" and "Beverly Hills, 90210." Taya Kashuba/The Desert Sun;Yes

Feb. 22, 2019: Brody Stevens, an actor and comedian whose credits include "The Hangover" and "The Hangover Part II," has died. During his college years, Stevens moved to Phoenix and attended Arizona State University, where he pitched for the Sun Devils. He was 48. Mark Davis/Getty Images

Feb. 21, 2019: Peter Tork, part of the made-for-TV-band the Monkees, has died. Tork wrote several songs for the '60s pop band, which enjoyed great success on the music charts after being formed for the 1966-1968 sitcom "The Monkees." Tork was 77. Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Feb. 8, 2019: Albert Finney, the beloved British actor who became an international star with 1963's "Tom Jones," has died. His films include "Two for the Road," "Annie," "Shoot the Moon," "Big Fish," Erin Brockovich" and "Skyfall." Finney was 82. Lucy Nicholson/AFP/Getty Images

Feb. 3, 2019: Kristoff St. John, a veteran actor best-known for a long stint on "The Young and the Restless," has died. The actor was nominated nine times for Daytime Emmy Awards, and he won 10 NAACP Image Awards.
He also had roles in the 1990s on a variety of sitcoms, including "Martin," "The Cosby Show," "Living Single" and "The Jamie Foxx Show." He was 52. Monty Brinton/CBS

Jan. 26, 2019: Oscar-winning composer Michel Legrand, who provided the scores to such hits as "Summer of '42," "Brian's Song," "Yentl" and "The Thomas Crown Affair," has died. In his long career, he also worked with such greats as Barbra Streisand, Frankie Laine, Petula Clark, Sting and Aretha Franklin. He was 86. AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2019: Kaye Ballard, a big-voiced comedian, actress and singer, has died. Her list of theatrical credits includes "Carnival," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Sheba" and many others. To TV viewers, she became a familiar presence through the 1967-1969 sitcom "The Mothers-In-Law" and "The Doris Day Show." Ballard was 93. Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Jan. 15, 2019: Carol Channing, the vivacious, big-eyed Broadway legend, has died at age 97. Her Broadway work included "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "Lend Me an Ear," "Wonderful Town" and "The Vamp," but she will forever be Dolly Levi in Jerry Herman's "Hello, Dolly!" She originated the role in 1964 and won a Tony, and later took the show on the road. Reed Hoffman/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Jan. 11, 2019: Fernando Luján, a Mexican actor whose career spanned seven decades, has died. His film work ranged from 1954's "El Mil Amores" (alongside iconic star Pedro Infante) to last year's remake of "Overboard" with Eugenio Derbez. On TV, he made frequent appearances in telenovelas as well as the Netflix series "Ingobernable." Luján was 79. Menemsha Films

Jan. 11, 2019: Shirley Boone, wife of Pat Boone and mother to Debby Boone, has died. Shirley and Pat Boone had been married for 65 years. During that time, Shirley helped to establish Mercy Corps, which has become an international charitable organization dedicated to addressing economic, environmental, social and political problems. She also published writings, hosted TV shows and recorded music. She was the daughter of country singer Red Foley. She was 84. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Jan. 2, 2018: Daryl Dragon, half of the musical duo Captain & Tennille, has died. Beginning in 1975, the two produced a string of successful singles, including two that topped the chart. "Love Will Keep Us Together" (1975) also won a Grammy, while "Do That to Me One More Time" (1979). Other hits included "Lonely Night (Angel Face)," "Shop Around" and "You Never Done It Like That." The pair divorced in 2014 after relocating to Prescott; Tennille later wrote a best-selling book about their marriage. She was with him when he died. AP

Dec. 28, 2018: Ray Sawyer, the eyepatch-wearing singer from the '70s band Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, has died. Sawyer was a member of the group from 1969 to 1983. Following his exit from the original band, he later toured as Dr. Hook featuring Ray Sawyer. Sawyer sang lead on the group's 1972 single "The Cover of the Rolling Stone," which reached the Top 10 in Billboard. The group's hits stretched into the early '80s through tunes like "Sexy Eyes" (No. 5) and "Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk" (No. 25), though most tunes featured singer Dennis Locorriere on lead. Sawyer was 81. Rolling Stone, which reported the news, said health issues forced Sawyer to stop performing in 2015. Special to The Republic

Dec. 28, 2018: June Whitfield, a comic actress best-known in the States for her work in the sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous," has died. ""She lived and worked with an extraordinary grace," "Absolutely Fabulous" star and creator Jennifer Saunders said. Whitfield was 93. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Dec. 24, 2018: Singer/songwriter Jerry Riopelle, a musician who was based in Los Angeles when he achieved major success in the Phoenix area thanks to concert performances and heavy support from Valley rock radio. His New Year's Eve shows, usually held at the Celebrity Theatre, were highly anticipated by fans. He was 77. Pat Shannahan/The Arizona Republic

Dec. 20, 2018: Donald Moffat, a versatile character actor who appeared on stage, screen and TV, has died. His extensive work includes such series as "Logan's Run" and "Tales of the City." His films include "The Thing" (1982), "The Right Stuff" (1983) and 1994's "Clear and Present Danger," in which he played the president. Moffat was 87. Paramount Pictures

Dec. 19, 2018: Peter Masterson, who made a mark as an actor, playwright and filmmaker, has died. Masterson's biggest acting credit came in 1975's "The Stepford Wives," in which he played a husband who moves his unsuspecting wife (Katharine Ross) to a town with a terrifying secret. As a playwright, he created "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," which later became a 1982 film. And as a movie director, he helmed "The Trip to Bountiful," for which Geraldine Page won an Oscar. Masterson was 84. Survivors include his daughter, actress Mary Stuart Masterson, who appeared with her father in "The Stepford Wives." D Fahleson/AP

Dec. 13, 2018: Nancy Wilson, the sultry singer who blended jazz and pop to great success, has died. Wilson, who recorded for Capitol Records between 1959 and 1980, became one of the label’s hallmark artists. Her biggest single hit was 1964’s “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am,” which reached No. 11 on the pop charts and earned a Grammy. However, she was really an album artist at heart: Her long-playing discs were filled with memorable performances of standards, Broadway tunes and the hits of the day, all performed in a dusky, sensual style. She was also a top concert and nightclub performer, equally at home at a Las Vegas casino or Carnegie Hall. Wilson was 81. John Levy Enterprises

Dec. 1, 2018: Ken Berry, a charmingl actor and song-and-dance man, has died. Berry made his greatest impact on TV, with lead roles in "F Troop" (1965-1967), "Mayberry R.F.D." (1968-1971) and "Mama's Family" (1983-1990). He also made frequent appearances on "The Carol Burnett," usually demonstrating his impressive skills as a hoofer. A favorite of the Disney studios, he starred in "Herbie Rides Again" (1974) and "The Cat from Outer Space" (1978). He died in Burbank, California. He was 85. AP

Nov. 15, 2018: Roy Clark, a musician who became a household name as a host on TV's "Hee Haw," has died. A virtuoso guitar player, his hits included "The Tips of My Fingers" and "Yesterday, When I Was Young." At the peak of his fame in the '60s and '70s, he guest-hosted "The Tonight Show" in addition to his appearances on "Hee Haw" and concert work. Clark was 85. The Lansing State Journal

Nov. 13, 2018: Katherine MacGregor, who played petty Harriet Oleson on TV's "Little House on the Prairie," has died. While her onscreen nasty daughter Nellie Oleson was the character viewers most loved to hate on the NBC series that ran from 1974 to 1983, her cruel, greedy mother Harriet Oleson was just as awful, never missing a chance at small-town social climbing or petty backbiting. MacGregor's screen career consisted of tiny film roles and TV guest spots before she landed on "Little House on the Prairie." She died at the Motion Picture and Television Fund retirement community in Los Angeles. She was 93. NBC

Nov. 12, 2018: Stan Lee, the iconic writer, editor and publisher of Marvel Comics, has died. Lee's creations or co-creations include Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Mighty Thor, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk, among many others. He was 95. Bob Chamberlin/Los Angeles Times

Nov. 7, 2018: The death of composer Francis Lai was announced today. The French musician earned an Academy Award for writing the memorably haunting theme to 1970's smash "Love Story." With lyrics added to the tune, it became an even bigger standard, with versions recorded by Johnny Mathis, Vikki Carr, Shirley Bassey, Andy Williams and others. Lai's other film work include "Live for Life," "International Velvet" and "Another Man, Another Chance." Lai was 86. Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

Nov. 1, 2018: Dave Rowland, leader of the successful country act Dave & Sugar, has died at age 74. Between 1975 and 1981, Dave & Sugar was a regular presence on the country-music charts, scoring three No. 1 hits: "The Door is Always Open," "Tear Time" and "Golden Tears." The group consisted of Rowland singing lead with two female singers; after the group split, he issued a solo album, "Sugar Free," in 1982. He died after suffering a stroke, according to Billboard. He was 74. Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Oct. 6, 2018: Montserrat Caballe, a Spanish opera singer renowned for her bel canto technique and her interpretations of the roles of Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti, has died. She was 85. Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Oct. 6, 2018: Scott Wilson, an actor whose career ranged from such '60s films as "In the Heat of the Night" and "In Cold Blood" to TV's "The Walking Dead," has died. Despite his film work, Wilson found his greatest fame later in life playing good-hearted Hershel Greene in "The Walking Dead" from 2011 to 2014. The cause was complications of leukemia, according to the Washington Post. He was 76. Jerod Harris

Oct. 1, 2018: The French Culture Ministry announced the death of Charles Aznavour, a singer, songwriter and actor whose career dates back to the 1930s. Artists who have collaborated with Aznavour include Liza Minnelli, Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey and Edith Piaf. No cause or date of death was released. Jim Cooper, Copyright Gannett Suburban Newspapers 1998;Yes

Sept. 27, 2018: Marty Balin, one of the founders of Jefferson Airplane, has died. Balin played guitar and sang in the seminal psychedelic '60s band from 1965 to 1971. He left the group but returned in 1975 during the band's Jefferson Starship era. He left in 1978, then joined EMI Records as a solo act. The 1981 album "Balin" featured the soft-rock styled "Hearts," which became a Top 10 pop hit. Balin died at age 76; according to Rolling Stone, no cause of death was released. Jason Merritt, Getty Images for NARAS

Sept. 13, 2018: Marin Mazzie, a critically acclaimed Broadway star, has died. Mazzie, who appeared in "Ragtime," ''Kiss Me, Kate" and "Man of La Mancha," had been fighting ovarian cancer for three years. She was 57. Special to The Republic

Sept. 4, 2018: Bill Daily, a comic actor who portrayed sidekicks on two long-running sitcoms, has died. Daily played Major Roger Healey on "Jeannie" from 1965 to 1970 and played Howard Borden on "The Bob Newhart Show" from 1972 to 1978.His other work included appearances on the "Mary Tyler Moore" show in 1972 and "The Love Boat" in 1979. He also returned to his role as Healey for two "Jeannie" TV movie spin-offs in 1985 and 1991. He was 91. Mark J. Terrill/ AP

Sept. 7, 2018: Rapper Mac Miller died at age 26. Miller released his album "Swimming" in August, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. The rapper and former boyfriend of Ariana Grande had reportedly struggled with substance abuse. Dale Berman, Getty Images for MTV

Sept. 6, 2018: Burt Reynolds, the star of films such as "Deliverance," "Smokey and the Bandit" and 2017's "The Last Movie Star," has died. A superstar in the 1970s, he was also known for his highly-public personal life, which include romances with Dinah Shore, Sally Field and ex-wife Loni Anderson. He was 82. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Spike TV

Sept. 3, 2018: Jeb Rosebrook, a screenwriter whose credits include 1972's "Junior Bonner" with Steve McQueen and the 1979 space epic "The Black Hole," has died. Rosebrook has a long history with Arizona: He attended the Orme School School as a youngster; worked in Phoenix in his 20s and settled in Scottsdale in 1995. He also wrote several episodes of "The Waltons" and such TV films as "Miracle on 34th Street" and "I Will Fight No More Forever." He was 83. KB Woods Public Relations

Aug. 30, 2018: Actress Vanessa Marquez was fatally shot by police officers in Southern California during a welfare check at her South Pasadena apartment. She was having a seizure when South Pasadena officers arrived. Paramedics treated her and officers spent an hour trying to talk Marquez into getting additional help when she pointed what turned out to be a BB gun at them. Marquez played nurse Wendy Goldman in the first few seasons of the NBC medical drama "ER" and also starred as math student Ana Delgado in the 1988 teacher drama "Stand and Deliver". She was 49. NBC via Getty Images

Aug. 26, 2018: Neil Simon, the beloved playwright who helped redefine American humor on the stage, has died. Simon's greatest stage hits reads like a rundown of some of Broadway's best-known shows: "Barefoot in the Park," "The Odd Couple," "The Sunshine Boys," Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Plaza Suite" among them. He also wrote for the screen: 1977's "The Goodbye Girl" received nine Oscar nominations, including one for his then-wife, star Marsha Mason (the film earned Richard Dreyfuss a Best Actor Oscar). Simon was 91. Monty Davis/Associated Press

Aug. 24, 2018: Robin Leach, a celebrity journalist who became a celebrity himself, has died. The British entertainment journalist moved to TV in 1984 with "The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," which documented the lives of the powerful and wealthy. It ran until 1995 and made the Cockney-accented Leach a household name. He moved to Las Vegas in 1999 and worked for both the Review-Journal and the Las Vegas Sun. He was 76. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Aug. 21, 2018: Barbara Harris, a Tony-winning actress who also found success on the big screen, has died. Harris appeared on Broadway in the original production of "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" and won a Tony for 1966's "The Apple Tree." A leading lady in the '70s, she starred in "Freaky Friday," "Nashville," "Family Plot," "Plaza Suite," "The Seduction of Joe Tynan" and earned an Oscar nomination for "Who is Harry Kellerman and Why is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?" Once her career slowed, she relocated to Scottsdale, where she taught acting. Universal City Studios

Aug. 5, 2018: Charlotte Rae, a comic actress who endeared herself to millions of TV viewers as a wise housemother, has died. Rae had a Broadway career that dates back to the '50s, but found her greatest fame as Edna Garrett, a red-haired housekeeper initially on TV's "Diff'rent Strokes" in 1978. The character proved popular and was spun off to her own show, "The Facts of Life," in which the character now served as a housemother at a girls' boarding school. "The Facts of Life" ultimately ran for nine seasons. In 2015, "The Facts of My Life," Rae's memoir, was published. Paul Hawthorne/AP

July 8, 2018: Tab Hunter, the heartthrob actor and singer who starred in such 1950s films as "Damn Yankees!" and "The Burning Hills," has died. In the 1980s, he won new fans by appearing in cult movies with Divine, the 300-pound transvestite, notably John Waters' 1981 "Polyester" and Paul Bartel's 1985 "Lust in the Dust," co-produced by Hunter himself. In his 2005 memoir, "Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star," Hunter recounted the stresses of being a love object to millions of young women when he was, in reality, a gay man. "I believed, wholeheartedly — still do — that a person's happiness depends on being true to themselves," he wrote. Hunter was 86. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SXSW

July 2, 2018: Alan Longmuir, a founding member of '70s teen-idol band the Bay City Rollers, has died. Longmuir was bass guitarist for the Scottish band, which gained enormous popularity in England before crossing over to the United States. "Saturday Night" topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976, selling more than a million copies. The group continued to score hits in the States, including "Money Honey," "I Only Want to Be With You," "Rock and Roll Love Letter" and "You Made Me Believe in Magic." Longmuir initially left the band in 1976, then returned in 1978. The group later split but would reappear in various incarnations throughout the years. Longmuir, the senior member of the group, was 70. Andrew Milligan/AP

June 5, 2018: Fashion designer Kate Spade was was found dead in her New York apartment on June 5, 2018, in an apparent suicide. Officials said housekeeping staff found her hanging inside her Park Avenue apartment at about 10:20 a.m. Her company, Kate Spade New York, has over 140 retail shops and outlet stores across the U.S. and more than 175 shops internationally. Theo Wargo/Getty Images

April 29, 2018: Robert Mandan, a versatile character actor who found fame playing philandering Chester Tate on the ABC sitcom "Soap," has died. Mandan, whose death was first reported by the Hollywood Reporter on June 3, 2018, was 86. CBS

May 21, 2018: Clint Walker, the towering star of the long-running TV Western "Cheyenne," has died at age 91. In the series, which ran from 1955-1962, Walker played gentle giant of a cowboy who roams the West. It was a perfect fit for the actor, who stood 6-foot-6 and boasted a 48-inch chest. The show made Walker a star, and he also appeared in such films as "The Dirty Dozen," "Send Me No Flowers" and "Fort Dobbs." Walker died in Nevada City, California, according to the New York Times. Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images

May 16, 2018: Joseph Campanella, a journeyman actor who appeared on screen for more than 50 years, has died. Campanella received an Emmy nomination in 1968 for his work on the first season of "Mannix." He later appeared on recurring roles in "One Day At a Time," "The Colbys" and "Baywatch." The handsome actor appeared on major TV shows for several decades, meaning his work has been seen by multiple generations. His resume includes appearances on "The Golden Girls," "The Love Boat," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Murder, She Wrote," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Naked City," "The Fugitive," "Mission: Impossible" and "Walker, Texas Ranger," among many others. His big-screen work includes "Ben," a 1972 sequel to "Willard;" "Silent Running" (1972); and "Meteor" (1979). Campanella was 93. ABC

May 14, 2018: Tom Wolfe, the popular and innovative author of such modern classics as "The Bonfire of the Vanities" and "The Right Stuff," has died. Wolfe is credited with helping giving birth to New Journalism, which blends literary techniques into nonfiction writing. Wolfe, also known for his consistently natty attire, died in Manhattan. He was 87. Fernando Leon/Getty Images

Scott Hutchison, frontman for the band Frightened Rabbit, was found dead in Scotland on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The singer had been reported missing since Wednesday.
"There are no words to describe the overwhelming sadness and pain that comes with the death of our beloved Scott but to know he is no longer suffering brings us some comfort," read a Twitter posting from bandmates Grant Hutchison, Billy Kennedy, Andy Monaghan and Simon Liddell. The Scottish indie band released their debut album, "Sing the Greys," in 2006. Hutchison was 36. Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

May 13, 2018: Margot Kidder, a '70s leading lady who found her greatest fame playing Lois Lane in the "Superman" films, has died. Kidder's other films include "The Amityville Horror" (1979), "Black Christmas" (1974), "Willie & Phil" (1980) and "Sisters" (1972). Starring as Lois Lane to Christopher Reeve's Superman made her a household name; she starred in "Superman (1978), "Superman II" (1980) and "Superman III" (1983). Kidder was 69; a cause of death is unknown, according to People. Associated Press

April 21, 2018: Verne Troyer, an actor best known as Mini-Me from the Austin Powers franchise, has died. The actor came to fame in "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (1999) and "Austin Powers in Goldmember" (2002). Other film work included "Mighty Joe Young" and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." No cause of death was given; Troyer had been public about his battle with alcohol addiction. He was 49. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

April 17, 2018: Carl Kassell, who spent nearly four decades at NPR, has died. Kassell joined NPR in 1975 and ultimately retired in 2014. In 1979, Kasell helped launched the news program "Morning Edition," reading the headlines at the top and bottom of the hour. In 1998, Kasell switched gears, revealing his wry sense of humor as the official judge and scorekeeper for the game show "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!" alongside host Peter Sagal. "I am extremely sad to tell you all that my dear friend and colleague for 16 years, Carl Kasell has passed away at the age of 84, from complications of Alzheimer's," Sagal wrote Tuesday on Twitter. "He was, and remains, the heart and soul of our show." Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

April 16, 2018: Harry Anderson, a street magician-turned TV star, has died. Anderson first came to national playing a con man on TV's "Cheers." He starred as a Mel Torme-loving judge on TV's "Night Court" (1984-1992), followed by "Dave's World," which ran from 1993-1997. In the latter show, he played a fictionalized version of creator Dave Barry. He was 65. Special for The Republic

April 15, 2018: R. Lee Ermey, an actor best-remembered for his portrayal of an intimidating drill instructor in 1987's "Full Metal Jacket," has died. A real-life Marine Corps veteran, Ermey often played hard-edged characters, including in the 2003 horror remakes "Willard" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." He was 74. Outdoor Channel

April 2, 2018: Susan Anspach, a leading lady on the big screen in the 1970s, has died. Anspach, a lovely blonde actress who could do both comedy and drama, enjoyed a breakthrough in 1970's "Five Easy Pieces" with Jack Nicholson. Later films included Woody Allen's "Play It Again, Sam" (1972); "Blume in Love" (1973); "The Big Fix" (1978) with Richard Dreyfuss; "Running" (1979) with Michael Douglas; and the Disney comedy "The Devil and Max Devlin." She also worked on television, starring in the 1983 nighttime drama "The Yellow Rose" and the 1987-1988 Dabney Coleman comedy "The Slap Maxwell Story." Survivors include two children. Her son, Caleb Goddard, announced her death, saying she had a heart ailment. She was 75. ABC

April 1, 2018: Steven Bochco, a producer who developed and created a number of influential TV programs, has died. In the 1980s, Bochco was a king in the world of network TV: He created the acclaimed 1981-1987 drama "Hill Street Blues," as well as "L.A. Law" (1986-1994) and the 1989-1993 series "Doogie Howser, M.D." Later came "NYPD Blue" (1993-2005), which earned more acclaim and landed Bochco his 10th Emmy Award. Bochco was diagnosed with leukemia in 2014 and received a stem-cell transplant. He "died peacefully in his sleep with his friends and family close by," said a statement issued by his representative. Bochco was 74. Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

March 12, 2018: Craig Mack, a rapper best known for the 1994 hit "Flava in Ya Ear," has died. Released through Sean Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment, "Flava in Your Ear" earned a Grammy nomination and sold more than a million copies. The accompanying album, "Project Funk da World," went gold. Mack later left music and became active in South Carolina's Overcomer Ministry Church, according to the New York Daily News. JOHNNY NUNEZ/ GETTY IMAGES/WIREIMAGES

March 14, 2018: Stephen Hawking, one of the world's foremost theoretical physicists, has died. Hawking was best known as the author of "A Brief History of Time," the best-selling 1988 book that first brought modern astrophysics into popular understanding for many. It also turned Hawking into a pop-culture icon who was featured on "The Big Bang Theory" and "The Simpsons." For decades, Hawking was confined to a wheelchair by a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was 76. Niklas Hallen'N/AFP/Getty Image

March 11, 2018: Ken Dodd, a British comedian who enjoyed his greatest fame in the '60s and '70s, has died. Dodd was knighted last year, becoming Sir Ken Dodd. He gave his final performance in December in his native Liverpool. He was 90. Yui Mok/AFP/Getty Images

March 4, 2018: Russ Solomon, the founder of Tower Records, has died at age 92. The global chain revolutionized the record-selling industry; the company's rise (and eventual fall) was documented in the 2015 film "All Things Must Pass." In recent years, Solomon worked as a photographer. The cause of death was a heart attack, his son, Michael Solomon, told the Sacramento Bee. Special for The Republic

Feb. 21, 2018: Billy Graham, the world's best-known evangelist, has died at age 99. During his career, he met with 12 presidents, appeared on TV with Larry King and Woody Allen and organized crusades that drew millions of people. All that earned him the unofficial title of "America's pastor." Special for The Republic

Feb. 24, 2018: Sridevi, a leading lady in Bollywood cinema during the '80s and '90s, has died at age 54. "Saddened by the untimely demise of noted actor Sridevi," India Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Twitter. "She was a veteran of the film industry, whose long career included diverse roles and memorable performances."
Among her best-known films: "English Vinglish," "Mr. India," "Mom," "Chaalbaaz" and "Chandni." Sridevi died Saturday in Dubai due to cardiac arrest. Her death was confirmed by her brother-in-law, actor Sanjay Kapoor. Sujit Jaiswal/AFP/Getty Images

Feb. 12, 2018: Marty Allen, a comedian who was a staple on TV for decades, has died. Allen found fame as half of stand-up duo Allen & Rossi, with partner Steve Rossi. They appeared 44 times on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Allen later was a regular on "The Hollywood Squares" and became a familiar presence on the Las Vegas Strip. Allen was 95. Karon Blackwell

Feb. 22, 2018: Nanette Fabray, an effervescent star of film, TV and the stage, has died at age 97. Fabray, who worked the Vaudeville circuit as a child, won a Tony for best actress in 1949 for the musical "Mr. President." In 1953, she starred in the MGM classic "The Bandwagon" with Fred Astaire. Moving to television, she earned three Emmy Awards starring on "Caesar's Hour." She was familiar to later generations of TV viewers from her work on "One Day at a Time" and "Coach;" in the latter, she played the mother to Shelley Fabares, her real-life niece. Fabray died at her home in Los Angeles, her son, Dr. Jamie MacDougall, told the Associated Press. He said the cause was old age. Rick Maiman/Associated Press

Feb. 11, 2018: Vic Damone, the stylish, eternally dapper crooner who velvet-lined vocals made him a favorite of audiences for decades, has died. The vocalist launched his career in 1947 and scored hits through the '60s, including his signature tune, "On the Street Where You Live" (1956). Other hits include "Again," "You're Breaking My Heart" and "You Were Only Fooling (While I Was Falling in Love)." Damone also had a high-profile love life; his five wives included actress Pier Angeli (1954-1958) and singer-actress Diahann Carroll (1987-1996). Damone was preceded in death by his son, Perry Damone, a popular radio personality in the Phoenix area. St. Martin's Press

Feb. 12, 2018: Daryle Singletary, a traditional country singer who enjoyed great success in the mid '90s, has died. Singletary's self-titled debut album, released in 1995, spun off two major hits: "I Let Her Lie" reached No. 2 while the rollicking "Too Much Fun" peaked at No. 4. Later hits include "Amen Kind of Love" (No. 2) and "The Note" (No. 28). Singletary's radio success tapered off by the turn of the century, but he continued recording and touring: "American Grandstand," an album featuring Singletary and Rhonda Vincent performing classic country duets, appeared last year. Singletary was 46 and died at his home in Lebanon, Tenn., according to publicist Don Murry Grubbs. The cause of death is unknown. Special for The Republic

Feb. 9, 2018: Wesla Whitfield, an opera singer-turned cabaret star, has died at age 70. Whitfield sang with the San Francisco Opera chorus in the '70s before turning to the great American songbook. She was especially popular with New York cabaret audiences, performing in both Manhattan eateries and Carnegie Hall. She released more than 20 albums; the latest, "The Best Things in Life," appeared in 2011. David Livingston/Getty Images

Feb. 4, 2018: John Mahoney, a veteran character actor who became a household face as part of the ensemble on TV's long-running "Frasier," has died. Mahoney was born in England and moved to the United States as a young man, becoming a citizen at age 19. He didn't become a professional actor until his 40s. He racked up an impressive number of credits on the big screen, including "Suspect" and "Moonstruck" (both 1987), "Say Anything..." (1989), "Barton Fink" (1991) and "Reality Bites." He starred on "Frasier for its entire 1993-2004 run, playing the irascible father to the Crane brothers. Mahoney was 77; a cause of death has not been released, according to the Chicago Tribune. Mahoney lived in Oak Park, Ill., and was a longtime member of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble. Abbot Genser/HBO

Jan. 31, 2018: Leah LaBelle, a contestant on the third season of "American Idol," died in a car accident in Studio City, Calif., along with her husband, former professional basketball player Rasual Butler. LaBelle finished 12th on the TV talent competition in 2004. In 2012, she had a minor R&B hit with the single "Sexify," written and produced by Pharrell Williams. She was 31. Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Adidas

Jan. 30, 2018: Louis Zorich, an actor and longtime husband of actress Olympia Dukakis, has died. Zorich was best-known to TV audiences for playing the father of Paul Reiser's character on "Mad About You" from 1993 to 1999. His film credits include "Fiddler on the Roof," "The Muppets Take Manhattan," "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and "For Pete's Sake." He and Dukakis married in 1962; she survives him, along with three grandchildren. Brad Barket/Getty Images

Jan. 30, 2018: Mark Salling, who starred as bad boy Noah "Puck" Puckereman on TV's "Glee," was found dead on Tuesday morning, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Salling's lawyer, Michael Proctor, confirmed his death but did not reveal the cause. Salling was scheduled to be sentenced in early March under a plea agreement he reached with federal prosecutors in October, in which he admitted he possessed pornographic images of prepubescent children. In addition to his work on the popular Fox show, Salling released an album, "Pipe Dreams," in 2010. He was 35. Tommaso Boddi, Getty Images for Tinder

Jan. 22, 2018: Lari White, a country-music hitmaker in the '90s, has died at age 52. The singer had been diagnosed with advanced peritoneal cancer in September 2017. Last week, she entered hospice. White, who was born in Florida, won first prize on "You Can Be a Star," a talent competition on the Nashville Network. Her debut album appeared in 1993 and the following year she was nominated by the Academy of Country Music for the Top New Female Vocalist Award. She scored three Top 10 hits in 1994-1995: "That's My Baby," "Now I Know" and "That's How You Know (When You're in Love)." She later acted, appearing in "Cast Away" (2000) and starring on Broadway in "Ring of Fire." She also worked as a producer, helming Toby Keith's album "White Trash with Money" (2005). Survivors include her husband, Chuck Cannon; and three children. Special for The Republic

Jan. 22, 2018: Trumpeter Hugh Masekela has died at age 78 after a decade-long fight with cancer. The South African musician was best known in the United States for his recording "Grazing in the Grass," a No. 1 pop hit in 1968. Special for The Republic

Jan. 19, 2018: Dorothy Malone, an Oscar-winning actress who later found success starring on the nighttime soap "Peyton Place," has died. The actress first appeared on screen in the 1940s. A contract player at Warner Bros., her early credits include "The Big Sleep" (1946) and "Night and Day" (1946). Later freed from Warner Bros., she earned raves — and the Oscar — playing a sex-starved woman in "Written on the Wind." She appeared as Constance Mackenzie Carson on "Peyton Place," which premiered in 1964. "At the time, doing television was considered professional death," she remarked in 1981. "However, I knew the series was going to be good, and I didn't have to prove myself as a star." The Associated Press reports that Malone died in an assisted living center from natural causes days before her 94th birthday. Special for The Republic

Jan. 14, 2018: Marlene VerPlanck, a gifted jazz and pop singer who released more than 20 albums, has died. The vocalist got her start as a big-band singer, preforming with the orchestras of the Dorsey Brothers and Tex Beneke. She met her husband, arranger Billy VerPlanck, in this era; the two were married from 1955 until his death in 2009. VerPlanck's debut album, "I Think of You With Every Breath I Take," was released in 1955. She had a long and successful association with jazz label Audiophile Records; the company issued several albums by her, including 2015's "The Mood I'm In." She also was a recognized voice through her commercial jingle work; she was heard on advertisements for Campbell's Soup and Michelob. She was a favorite of critics: in a 1984 review, New York Times critic Stephen Holden noted she "has a sweet soprano not unlike Linda Ronstadt." She was 84. Her official website first reported her death. Special for The Republic

Jan. 15, 2018: Edwin Hawkins, a gospel star best known for the crossover hit "Oh Happy Day," has died at age 74. Hawkins died at his home in Pleasanton, Calif. "Oh Happy Day," featuring the vocals of Dorothy Combs Morrison, was released as a single credited to the Edwin Hawkins Singers and became a million-seller in 1969. In 1970, the Hawkins singers backed Melanie on her top 10 hit "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" and won a Grammy for best soul gospel performance for "Oh Happy Day." Hawkins went on to make dozens of records and won four Grammys in all, including for the songs "Every Man Wants to Be Free" and "Wonderful!" He had been suffering from pancreatic cancer, his publicist Bill Carpenter told the Associated Press. Brad Barket/Invision/AP

Jan. 15, 2018: Dolores O'Riordan, lead singer of Irish band the Cranberries, died suddenly in London on Monday. The Cranberries became international stars in the '90s; the 1994 album "No Need to Argue" sold more than 7 million copies in the United States. The band's hits include "Linger," "Free to Decide," "When You're Gone" and "Zombie." No cause of death has been released. O'Riordan was 46. GUILLAUME SOUVANT/ AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 10, 2018: Doreen Tracey, an original member of the Mousketeers on the "The Mickey Mouse Club," has died. She appeared on the program from 1955-1958; during her time with Disney, she also starred in the studio's big-screen "Westward Ho, the Wagons!" Post "Mickey Mouse Club," she appeared in an episode of "The Donna Reed Show." She later served as a publicist for musician Frank Zappa and posed for the men's magazine Gallery with nothing on except her mouse ears. Tracey died from pneumonia at a hospital in Thousand Oaks, Calif., following a two-year battle with cancer. She was 74. Disney/AP

Jan. 4, 2018: Ray Thomas, one of the founding member of the British art-rock band the Moody Blues, has died. No cause of death was given, but Thomas disclosed in 2014 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. A flutist, Thomas wrote several songs for the band, including "Legend of a Mind" and "Veteran Cosmic Rocker." The band is due to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland in April. Thomas was 76. Bart Boatwright/The Greenville News

Jan. 5, 2018: Jerry Van Dyke, an actor and the younger brother of Dick Van Dyke, has died at age 86. The younger Van Dyke got his start as a comedian, eventually making appearances on his brother's "The Dick Van Dyke Show." He starred in the 1965-1966 sitcom "My Mother the Car," but enjoyed his greatest success on the 1989-1997 TV series "Coach." The show earned him four Emmy nominations. The actor died at a ranch Hot Spring County, Ark., that he and his wife had owned for 35 years. A cause of death was not released. Special for The Republic

Dec. 28, 2017: Rose Marie, whose career spanned from vaudeville to the Twitter era, has died at age 94. The entertainer initially gained fame as a child singer, with her own coast-to-coast radio program. Later came Broadway and nightclub work, but she found her greatest fame on TV, where she played wisecracking Sally Rogers on TV's "The Dick Van Dyke Show." She earned three Emmy nominations for the role, seen as a early example of a successful working woman. She later appeared on "The Doris Day Show" and "The Hollywood Squares." In the '70s, she was part of the supergroup 4 Girls 4, along with Rosemary Clooney, Margaret Whiting and Helen O'Connell. This year, she was the subject of "Wait for Your Laugh," a documentary that looked at "the longest career in showbiz history." Rose Marie

Dec. 15, 2017: Darlanne Fluegel, a model and actress who enjoyed a high-profile period in the '80s, has died. Fluegel, an Eileen Ford model, made her film debut in the 1978 thriller "The Eyes of Laura Mars." She later starred on the TV series "Crime Story," "Wiseguy" and "Hunter." Her big-screen career includes "Once Upon a Time in America," "Running Scared," "Tough Guys" and "To Live and Die in L.A." According to the Hollywood Reporter, she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at age 56. She died Dec. 15, 2017, but her family did not release the information until Jan. 4, 2018. She was 64. Special for The Republic

Dec. 16, 2017: Keely Smith, a swinging vocalist who won a Grammy as part of a successful duo with her husband, Louis Prima, has died. Smith and Prima's frantic take on "That Old Black Magic" became a major pop hit in 1958, and earned a Grammy. Prima and Smith became one of the top nightclub acts in the country with a ribald show that emphasized his outgoing wackiness and her deadpan reactions. The marriage ended in 1961, and Smith continued to record and perform as a solo artist. She released more than 20 albums on such labels as Capitol, Reprise, Dot and, most recently, Concord Records. Smith was 89; her publicist told Variety that she suffered from heart failure. Special for The Republic

Dec. 12, 2017: Pat DiNizio, guitarist, songwriter and frontman for New Jersey band the Smithereens, has died. The group announced the death of the 62-year-old musician on their website. "Pat was looking forward to getting back on the road and seeing his many fans and friends. Please keep Pat in your thoughts and prayers," the statement reads. DiNizio was sidelined by health issues in recent years; a pair of falls caused serious nerve damage, according to Variety. The group's biggest hits include "A Girl Like You" (1989), "Top of the Pops" 1991) and "Too Much Passion" (1992). No cause of death was released. Special for The Republic

Dec. 6, 2017: Johnny Hallyday, one of the biggest singing stars France ever produced, has died. Dubbed "The French Elvis," Hallyday's career began in the '50s, offering French-language versions of U.S. rock and roll hits. However, his career never faded, with the performer remaining a chart presence and major concert draw throughout his life. He also gained acclaim as a serious actor, starring recently in such films as "The Man on the Train" (2002) and "Vengeance" (2009). A turbulent personal life brought him great notoriety, including a tempestuous marriage to actress Sylvie Vartan and two suicide attempts. In March, according to the New York Times, Hallyday announced that he had lung cancer. Survivors include his wife, Laeticia; and four children, including entertainer David Hallyday. He was 74. Fred Payet/AFP/Getty Images

Nov. 30, 2017: Jim Nabors, who played lovable Gomer Pyle on two hit CBS series, has died at age 87. Nabors introduced the naive character on "The Andy Griffith Show." He proved so popular that Nabors was spun-off into his own series, "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.," which ran for five seasons, ending in 1969. In addition to his TV career, he was a successful recording artist, releasing several albums on Columbia Records between 1965 and 1972. He sang easy-listening pop favorites in a deep, operatic baritone that was miles away from Pyle's goofy image. He lived in Hawaii for more than 30 years, according to the Hollywood Reporter, who reported news of the death. Bill Preston/The Tennessean

Oct. 25, 2017: Jack Bannon, an actor who spent five seasons playing an assistant city editor on the newsroom drama "Lou Grant," has died. Bannon, the son of actors Bea Benaderet and Jim Bannon ("Red Ryder"), began racking up TV credits in the '60s. He appeared with his mother on her hit program "Petticoat Junction," as well as such shows as "The Beverly Hillbillies, "Here's Lucy," "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Mannix." He landed a regular role as Donovan, a smart journalist, in "Lou Grant," which ran from 1977-1982. He also starred in the 1983 ABC series "Trauma Center," and made multiple appearances on "St. Elsewhere," "Falcon Crest" and "Knots Landing." He moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1995 with his wife, actress Ellen Travolta, sister of John Travolta. She survives Bannon, who was 77. His death first was reported by the Spokesman-Review in Idaho. CBS

Oct. 24, 2017: Fats Domino, one of the pioneers of rock and roll, has died at age 89. In the '50s and early '60s, the piano-playing musician from New Orleans crafted a string of indelible hit records, including "Ain't That a Shame," "Blueberry Hill," "I'm Walkin'" and "Blue Monday." During his career, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Medal of the Arts and admission into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Doug Parker, AP

Oct. 24, 2017: Robert Guillaume, an actor who found great success on stage and on television, has died. Guillaume is probably best known to audiences for playing Benson DuBois, first on ABC's "Soap" and then in his own spin-off, "Benson." The role of the acerbic butler-turned-politico earned the actor two Emmys. He also earned a Tony nomination for his role in a 1977 revival of "Guys and Dolls" and lent his voice to Rafiki in Disney's animated classic "The Lion King." The actor was 89. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Oct. 16, 2017: Roy Dotrice, an award-winning actor with a screen career that dates back to the '50s, has died. The British actor earned a Tony Award in 2000 for his Broadway role in "A Moon for the Misbegotten." In 2008, he was named an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. His best-known works include the TV series "Beauty and the Beast" (1987-1990) and "Picket Fences" (1996-1997), and such films as "Amadeus" (1984) and "The Scarlet Letter" (1995). Most recently, he appeared in two episodes of "Game of Thrones." His wife, Kay Dotrice, who died in 2007, was also an actress, as are the couple's three children. Daughter Karen Dotrice is best-known for playing Jane Banks in 1964's "Mary Poppins." Dotrice, 94, died at his home in London. Richard Drew/Associated Press

Sept. 30, 2017: Elizabeth Baur, an actress best-remembered as police consultant Fran Belding on TV's "Ironside," has died. Born in Los Angeles, Baur made her film debut in 1968's "The Boston Strangler" with Tony Curtis. That same year, she landed the female lead in the CBS Western "Lancer," which ran for two seasons. She joined the Raymond Burr mystery "Ironside" in 1971 and stayed until the NBC show ended in 1975. She made guest appearances on such programs as "Room 222," "Nanny and the Professor" and "Emergency!" Baur gradually exited the industry to focus on her family, though she returned for the 1993 reunion film "The Return of Ironside." She was hospitalized following a lengthy illness, according to the Hollywood Reporter. She was 69. CBS

Oct. 8, 2017: Jean Rochefort, a major star in French cinema for more than five decades, has died. Skilled in both comedy and drama, the mustachioed star made his film debut in 1956's "Meeting in Paris." He won three Cesar awards, the French equivalent of the Oscar, including an Honorary Cesar in 1999. Among his best-known films in the United States: 1996's "Ridicule," 1994's "Ready to Wear," 2002's "Man on the Train," 1980's "I Sent a Letter to My Love," 1979's "French Postcards" and 1972's "The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe." Rochefort was 87. Cohen Media Group

Oct. 6, 2017: Comedian Ralphie May, who finished in second place on "Last Comic Standing," has died. His success in 2003 on the series led to a spike in popularity, with the comic emerging as one of the top draws on the stand-up circuit. He hosted six specials — four on Comedy Central and two on Netflix. He currently had a residency at Harrah's in Las Vegas and was named Casino Comedian of the Year this week at the Global Gaming Expo. May, who was 45, died of cardiac arrest, his publicist confirmed to Variety. Special for The Republic

Oct. 2, 2017: Tom Petty, the influential rocker behind such classics as "Don't Do Me Like That," "Free Fallin'" and "Mary Jane's Last Dance," has died. Petty, along with his band the Heartbreakers, played their final show last week at the Hollywood Bowl. It was the conclusion of the band's 40th anniversary tour. The musician suffered full cardiac arrest on Sunday night, according to TMZ, and died Monday in UCLA Santa Monica Hospital. He was 66. Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

Sept. 30, 2017: Monty Hall, the original host of the television game show "Let's Make a Deal," has died of heart failure. Hall, along with writer and producer Stefan Hatos, created "Let's Make a Deal" in 1963. He eventually appeared on nearly 5,000 episodes that aired on NBC, ABC and in syndication. Hall died of heart failure, according to the New York Times. He was 96. Ray Mickshaw/FremantleMedia North America

Sept. 19, 2017: Bernie Casey, a former pro football player who went on to a successful acting career, has died. Casey played wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams before returning to Bowling Green State University to get a master's degree in fine arts. He then made his film debut in "Guns of the Magnificent Seven" (1969). Later performances included "Brian's Song" (1971); "Cleopatra Jones" (1973), "The Man Who Fell to Earth" (1976) and "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka" (1988). Casey died after a brief illness, his talent agent told the Associated Press. He was 78. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Sept. 25, 2017: Liz Dawn, a British actress who starred on the U.K. soap "Coronation Street" for more than 30 years, has died. The actress appeared on the show as tart-tongued Vera Duckworth from 1974 to 2008. The actress was diagnosed with emphysema in the early 2000s, and Vera was written out of the show in 2008, dying in her sleep. According to the Associated Press, she is is survived by her husband Don Ibbetson; four children; six grandchildren;and three great-grandchildren. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Sept. 25, 2017: Tony Booth, an actor whose daughter married former Prime Minister Tony Blair, has died. Booth gained great success playing Mike in "'Till Death Us Do Part." The sitcom ran for a decade and was remade for the U.S. market as "All in the Family," with Rob Reiner playing Booth's counterpart. Booth also had a film career with roles in such movies as "Corruption" (1968) and "Brannigan" (1975). His daughter, Cherie, married future Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1980. Booth was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2004. He was 85. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Sept. 8, 2017: Don Williams, country music's "gentle giant," has died at age 78. With a soft-spoken, plaintive style, the singer-songwriter was a major force on the '70s and '80s country scene, putting 17 songs in the No. 1 spot on Billboard. These include such classics as "'Til the Rivers All Run Dry," "I Believe in You," "Lord, I Hope This Day Good" and "If Hollywood Don't Need You (Honey I Still Do)." In 2010, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He died after a short illness, according to Billboard. Special to The Republic

Sept. 8, 2017: Troy Gentry, half of the country duo Montgomery Gentry, has died in a helicopter crash. The news was reported through the band's Twitter account. The crash occurred in Medford, N.J.; the duo was scheduled to perform there tonight. The duo enjoyed its peak popularity during the first part of the century, with songs like "If You Ever Stop Loving Me," and "Back When I Knew It All." Gentry was 50. Terry Wyatt/ Getty Images

Sept. 15, 2017: Harry Dean Stanton, noted Hollywood character actor, died at age 91 in Los Angeles. With a 60-year-long resume, Stanton appeared in more than 200 movies and TV shows, creating memorable roles in films like "Repo Man," "Godfather II," "Pretty in Pink" and "Escape from New York." Getty Images

Sept. 1, 2017: Shelley Berman, a comic whose acerbic take on modern life made him a top stand-up comedian in the late '50s and early '60s, has died. His biting routines helped redefine comedy; along with the likes of Lenny Bruce and Mort Sahl, he helped add a contemporary sophistication to the medium. Beyond his comedy career, he also appeared on Broadway and in films and television. A younger generation knows him for playing the father of Larry David's character on "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Berman was 92. David Livingston, Getty Images

Aug. 31 2017: Actor Richard Anderson, who simultaneously appeared on two prime-time hits in the 1970s, has died. Anderson, a tall, handsome actor with a dignified air, played Oscar Goldman on both "The Six Million Dollar Man" (1973-1978) and "The Bionic Woman" (1976-1978), making him one of the era's most ubiquitous faces. His long career also included appearances on "Thriller," "The Untouchables," "The Invaders" and "The Big Valley." Anderson was 91. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

August 20, 2017: Jerry Lewis, legendary comedic who teamed with Dean Martin in the 1950s, died at his home in Las Vegas. Lewis also starred in 'The Bellboy' and 'The Nutty Professor' and hosted the Labor Day telethon for decades. Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Aug. 24, 2017: Jay Thomas, a comedic actor best known for his work on such '80s era sitcoms as "Cheers" and "Murphy Brown," has died. Thomas played Eddie LeBec, a Boston Bruins hockey player, from 1987 to 1989 on "Cheers." Later came a run as the sometimes-boyfriend of the title character of "Murphy Brown" (1989-1998). He also headlined "Love and War," a 1992-1995 sitcom in which he starred opposite both Susan Dey and Annie Potts. He was also a favorite guest of David Letterman, appearing on the host's show during the Christmas season from 1998 to 2014. Thomas, who was suffering from cancer, was 69. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Aug. 19, 2017: Dick Gregory, a comedic legend and civil rights activist, was one of the first black comedians to find success with white audiences in the early 1960s. With humble backgrounds of an impoverished childhood in St. Louis, Gregory became a celebrated satirist. Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

Aug. 13, 2017: Joseph Bologna, an actor, writer and director who earned an Oscar nomination in a durable career, has died at age 82. As a performer, the handsome Bologna often projected a tough New York edge (he was born in Brooklyn). He was perhaps best-known for his role as King Kaiser, an abrasive TV star in the 1982 comedy "My Favorite Year." Other film work included "Chapter Two" (1979), "Blame It On Rio" (1984) and "Ice Age: The Meltdown" (2006). As a writer, he won an Oscar nomination for the 1971 comedy "Lovers and Other Strangers;" he earned an Emmy Award for writing the 1973 TV special "Acts of Love and Other Comedies." Both projects were collaborations with his wife, actress Renee Taylor, whom he married in 1965. In 2017, Bologna received a lifetime achievement award at the Night of 100 Stars Oscar Gala. Bologna had been fighting pancreatic cancer. Taylor survives him. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Aug. 8, 2017: Barbara Cook, an iconic Broadway soprano who starred in "The Music Man," "Candide" and "Carousel," has died at age 89. Cook won a Tony playing Marian, a small-town librarian, in "The Music Man" opposite Robert Preston in 1957. Other shows included revivals of "Carousel" (1957) and "The King and I" (1960)," plus straight acting roles in "Any Wednesday" (1965) and "Little Murders" (1967). Later, she had a career rebirth as cabaret singer, playing Manhattan's toniest nightspots and recording an acclaimed series of albums. In 2011, she was a Kennedy Center honoree. She announced her retirement this year. Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Aug. 8, 2017: Glen Campbell, a guitarist and singer who won 10 Grammy Awards and recorded such classics as "Wichita Lineman," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Rhinestone Cowboy," has died at age 81. The singer, who lived in the Phoenix area for more than 22 years, had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years. Campbell's death was announced by his family through his official website. Danny Johnston/Associated Press

Aug. 3, 2017: Ty Hardin, a handsome actor who gained fame playing a former Confederate officer on the 1958-1962 ABC Western "Bronco," has died. Hardin's character, Bronco Layne, also appeared on the programs "Cheyenne" and "Sugarfoot." On the big screen, he starred in "PT 109" (1963), "Palm Springs Weekend" (1963) and "Battle of the Bulge" (1964). He later settled in Prescott and formed an anti-government group that evolved into the Arizona Patriots militia movement. Hardin died in Huntington Beach, Calif. He was 87. Earl McCartney/The Arizona Republic

July 25, 2017: Hywel Bennett, a British actor who first came to public attention in the '60s playing wide-eyed young men, has died at age 73. He appeared as Hayley Mills' first onscreen husband in "The Family Way" (1966); the two later starred in "Twisted Nerve" (1968) and "Endless Night" (1972). As he matured, he worked on British TV, starring in such programs as "Shelley," "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and "East Enders." The BBC reports that he died July 25, but his family didn't announce the news until Aug. 3, 2017. Special for The Republic

Aug. 3, 2017: Robert Hardy, a veteran British stage and screen actor who played Cornelius Fudge in the "Harry Potter" movies, has died. Between 1978 and 1990, Hardy played the eccentric veterinarian Siegfried Farnon in "All Creatures Great and Small," a popular TV series based on James Herriot's books about rural life in the Yorkshire Dales. Hardy was 91. Ian Gavan/Getty Images

July 31, 2017: Actor and playwright Sam Shepard has died from complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, his family announced on Monday. His 1979 play "Buried Child" won the Pulitzer Prize, and he earned Pulitzer nominations for "Fool for Love" and "True West." As an actor, he projected a laconic sensibility, earning an Oscar nomination for playing astronaut Chuck Yeager in "The Right Stuff" (1979). Other film works includes "Steel Magnolias," "Days of Heaven" and "The Pelican Brief." He starred opposite Jessica Lange in "Frances" (1982) and "Country" (1984); the two were a couple for nearly 30 years before splitting 2009. Shepard was 73. Jakub Mosur

July 31, 2017: Jeanne Moreau, one of France's most acclaimed actresses, has died at age 89. She was considered the first lady of the French new wave film movement, largely thanks to her role in "Jules and Jim" (1962). Other notable films in her lengthy career include "La Notte" (1961), "The Lovers" (1958) and "The Bride Wore Black" (1968). Moreau was also known for a colorful personal life, which included a marriage to director William Friedkin (1977-1979) and relationships with directors Louis Malle and Francois Truffaut, trumpeter Miles Davis and designer Pierre Cardin. Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images

July 25, 2017: Michael Johnson, a vocalist who enjoyed major success on both the pop and country charts, has died. Johnson, born in Colorado, gained national attention when his mellow 1978 ballad "Bluer Than Blue" reached the pop top 20, as well as topping the adult-contemporary charts. Follow-up singles like "This Night Won't Last Forever" and "Almost Like Being in Love" kept him in the top 40. After his pop success waned, he turned to country music. He scored a Top 10 hit in 1985 with "I Love You By Heart," a duet with Sylvia. He followed that with five additional top 10 hits on the country charts, including "Give Me Wings" (1986) and "The Moon is Still Over Her Shoulder" (1987) both reaching No. 1. His last album, "Moonlit Déjà Vu," appeared in 2012. Johnson died at home in Minneapolis after a lengthy illness, according to Rolling Stone. He was 72. Atlantic Records

July 26, 2017: June Foray, a voice actress who gave life to Rocky the Flying Squirrel and evil Natasha Fatale on "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show," has died. Foray, often referred to as the first lady of voice acting, also portrayed Nell from “Dudley Do-Right,” Granny in the “Tweety and Sylvester” cartoons and Cindy Lou Who in Chuck Jones’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” She was the subject of a 2013 documentary, “The One and Only June Foray." Foray was 99. Patrick Liotta/The Great Falls Tribune

July 25, 2017: Barbara Sinatra, a philanthropist and widow of Frank Sinatra, has died. Previously married to comic Zeppo Marx, Sinatra was a prominent Palm Springs, Calif., socialite when she became Sinatra's third wife in 1976. The two were married until his death in 1998. She used her husband's fund-raising clout to build the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center to help abused children at Eisenhower Medical Center, and wrote a 2011 memoir, "Lady Blue Eyes." Famously, she also didn't get on particularly well with Sinatra's three children, a subject she didn't discuss in the book. Barbara Sinatra was 90. Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

July 22, 2017: Jim Vance, a prominent news anchor in the nation's capital, has died. Vance spent 45 years as an anchor at the NBC affiliate in Washington, D.C., becoming a fixture to viewers. His popularity led to film and TV appearances in which he invariably played himself, including TV's "The Blacklist" and the 2009 film "State of Play." Vance was was 75 years old.
Vance told viewers earlier this year that he was undergoing treatment for cancer. Robin Fader/Associated Press

July 16, 2017: George A. Romero, the director who launched the modern zombie film genre with 1968's "Night of the Living Dead," has died. Romero made films outside of the zombie realm, including "Martin" (1977), "Creepshow" (1982) and "Monkey Shines" (1988), but he was best known for the "Living Dead" series of films, which include "Dawn of the Dead" (1978), "Day of the Dead" (1985) and "Land of the Dead" (2005). He died after a battle with lung cancer, according to Variety. He was 77. Lars Niki/Getty Images

July 21, 2017: John Heard, a gifted character actor who worked for more than four decades in TV and film, has died at age 72. Although best-known for his role as a absent-minded dad in the "Home Alone" films, he earned critical acclaim for his work in "Chilly Scenes of Winter," "Cutter's Way" and "Cat People." On TV, he played a dirty cop in five episodes of "The Sopranos," in addition to guest roles on "Elementary," "Person of Interest" and "Kate & Allie." According to Variety, the actor was found dead in a hotel in Palo Alto, Calif., where he was reportedly recovering from back surgery. Getty Images

July 20: Chester Bennington, the Phoenix native who rose to fame as the leader of Linkin Park, has committed suicide. The Los Angeles County coroner confirmed the death to the Los Angeles Times. The musician was found dead at about 9 a.m. Thursday, July 20. Bennington hanged himself, according to the Los Angeles Times. Bennington, 41, is survived by a spouse and six children, according to the site Rich Fury/Getty Images

June 27, 2017: Michael Nyqvist, a Swedish actor who starred in the original "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" trilogy, has died at age 56. Though best-known for his work in Swedish-language films, Nyqvist branched out to English-language projects, playing dastardly European villains in such films as "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol” and "John Wick."
In "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" films, he starred as Blomkvist, the role played by Daniel Craig in the English-language remake. Nyqvist was battling cancer, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Joerg Koch/Getty Images

June 15, 2017: Bill Dana, a nightclub comic whose character Jose Jimenez became a national sensation, has died. Dana worked as head writer on "The Steve Allen Plymouth Show," which is where he introduced the Jimenez character in 1959. The character, a naive, innocent man who spoke broken English, later got his own TV series, "The Bill Dana Show." There were also several bestselling comedy albums, including "My Name... Jose JImenez," "Jose Jimenez the Astronaut" and "Jose Jimenez in Orbit." Dana was later made an honory Mercury astronaut due to Jose's popularity. Dana was honored by the National Hispanic Media Coalition for the character, who was seen as a positive role model (although Dana was not of Hispanic descent). He retired the character but continued to perform, appearing on "St. Elsewhere" and "The Golden Girls." Dana was 92. ABC

July 15, 2017: Martin Landau, an Oscar-winning actor whose career dates back to the '50, has died. A member of the Actor's Studio, Landau made his Broadway debut in 1957 in "Middle of the Night." Later came roles in such films as "Cleopatra" and "The Greatest Story Ever Told" before finding major fame as the "man of a million face" on TV's "Mission: Impossible." Though work never slowed, he experienced a career resurgence starting in the late '80s, earning Oscar nominations for "Tucker: The Man and His Dream" and "Crimes and Misdemeanors." He won the Academy Award in 1994 for playing Bela Lugosi in "Ed Wood." Landau was 89; he died in Los Angeles. Mike Coppola/Getty Images

June 16, 2017: Stephen Furst, a comedic actor best known as innocent Flounder in "Animal House," has died. The cherubic-faced actor later starred in such films as "Midnight Madness" and "Scavenger Hunt," and appeared in the popular '80s medical drama "St. Elsewhere" as Dr. Axelrod. According to the Hollywood Reporter, he died of complications from diabetes. Furst was 63. Universal Pictures

July 8, 2017: Nelsan Ellis, who played sly short-order cook Lafayette Reynolds on the HBO hit "True Blood," has died. The actor died of complications from heart failure, according to USA Today. He also had regular roles on "Elementary" and "The Inside." He was 39. HBO

June 13, 2017: Anita Pallenberg, an actress and model who became a symbol of the quintessential '60s groupie, has died. Pallenberg's film work includes "Candy" (1968), "Barbarella" (1968) and "Performance" (1970), but she is better known for her connections to the Rolling Stones. She initially was involved with Brian Jones of the band, then later Keith Richards, whom she was partnered with until 1980. She is also credited with singing background vocals on the band's "Sympathy for the Devil." Survivors include two children with Richards, according to the Hollywood Reporter. She was 73. Warner Bros.

June 9, 2017: Adam West, the actor who played the Caped Crusader on the classic '60s TV show "Batman," has died. The program only ran from 1966 to 1968 but made West a star. It also typecast the actor, who found it difficult to break away from the "Batman" image. He later found voice work on "Family Guy" and sent up his image on such TV programs as "The Big Bang Theory," "Murphy Brown" and "NewsRadio." West died from leukemia, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He was 88. Mike Coppola/Getty Images

June 8, 2017: Glenne Headly, a talented actress who starred in such films as "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," "Mr Holland's Opus" and "Dick Tracy," has died.
A big-screen leading lady in the '80s and '90s, she also found work on the small screen, appearing in "Lonesome Dove" and "ER." Last summer, she was seen in HBO's drama miniseries "The Night Of." She had been in production for the upcoming Hulu sitcom "Future Man" from Seth Rogen. She was 62; no cause of death was released. Evan Agostini/Getty Images

June 4, 2017: Roger Smith, a handsome TV star who abandoned acting to guide the career of his wife, Ann-Margret, has died. Smith, a contract player for Warner Bros., became a major star playing a hip private eye in "77 Sunset Strip," which ran on ABC from 1958-1964. Smith married actress and singer Ann-Margret in 1967, and stopped performing to manage her career. In 1965, Smith was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis; he battled the disease throughout the years. Smith was 84; Ann-Margret survives him. Warner Bros.

May 30, 2017: Elena Verdugo, an actress who earned two Emmy nominations as nurse Consuelo Lopez on TV's "Marcus Welby, M.D.," has died. Verdugo's long career includes roles in the 1945 horror film "House of Frankenstein" and 1950's "Cyrano de Bergerac" with Jose Ferrer. She also played the title character, a secretary, in the 1952-1956 CBS sitcom "Meet Millie." Still, it was her role as a devoted nurse working for the title character (played by Robert Young, pictured with Verdugo) on ABC's "Marcus Welby, M.D." that brought her the greatest fame. The show ran from 1969 to 1976, and was the top-rated series the for the 1970-1971 season. Verdugo died in Los Angeles, according to the Hollywood Reporter. She was 92. ABC

May 27, 2017: Gregg Allman, seen in 2011, died at age 69 in Savannah, Ga., his publicist said. Allman's work with the Allman Brothers Band set the stage for Southern rock, jam bands and influenced several generations of players. AP file photo

May 24, 2017: Jared Martin, a handsome actor who was a constant presence on '70s TV, has died. Best known for playing Dusty Farlow in 34 episodes of the nighttime CBS soap "Dallas," Martin also headlined two sci-fi series: "The Fantastic Journey" (1977) and "The War of the Worlds" (1988-1990). Quite busy in the '70s and '80s, his resume included guest spots on "Medical Center," "The Partridge Family," "Night Gallery, "The Love Boat," "Wonder Woman" and "Murder, She Wrote." Martin retired from acting but never stopped working; last year, he made his directorial debut with the Treat Williams feature film "The Congressman." Martin died of pancreatic cancer, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He was 75. Paramount Pictures

May 17, 2017: Chris Cornell, a dynamic leader of the '90s grunge scene, has died at age 52. The Soundgarden singer was found on the bathroom floor of his hotel room following a concert in Detroit. Police are investigating the death as a possible suicide. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for EBMRF

May 23, 2017: Roger Moore, a debonair leading man who played James Bond in more films than anyone else, has died at age 89. From 1973 to 1985, Moore starred in seven Bond films, including "Live and Let Die," "The Spy Who Loved Me," "For Your Eyes Only" and "A View to a Kill." Prior to his work as Ian Fleming's 007, Moore starred as a spy on the small screen in "The Saint" (1962-1969) and played opposite Tony Curtis in "The Persuaders!" (1971-1972). Post-Bond, he often sent up his image in films like "Spice World" (1997). In 2003, he was knighted; in 2008,, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Moore was suffering from cancer, according to a statement from his family. Associated Press

May 22, 2017: Dina Merrill, a sophisticated blonde actress with a long film and TV career, has died at 93. Merrill, whose best -known films include "Operation Petticoat" (1959), "Butterfield 8" (1960) and "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" (1963), often played women of privilege; it came naturally to the actress, who was the daughter of broker E.F. Hutton and cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. Merrill also appeared on Broadway and worked on TV through the early 2000s. She is survived by her husband, actor and and investment banker Ted Hartley; she previously was married to actor Cliff Robertson from 1966-1989. Nancy Ostertag, Getty Images

May 14, 2017: Powers Boothe, an Emmy-winning actor who moved between and film, has died at age 68. The Texan came to prominence playing the lead role of cult leader Jim Jones in "Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones." His charismatic performance earned an Emmy, and he became a fixture on TV and the big screen. His film work includes "Southern Comfort (1981); "Red Dawn" (1984); "Tombstone" (1993) and "Sin City" (2005). On TV, he had regular roles on "Philip Marlowe, Private Eye," "Deadwood," "24," "Nashville" and, most recently "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." According the Hollywood Reporter, the star died of natural causes. He was 68. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

May 21, 2017: Jimmy LaFave, an Austin-based singer-songwriter who achieved great popularity on the Americana circuit, has died after a battle with cancer. LaFave was diagnosed with the disease in 2016 but didn't announce his condition until this year. On May 19, he appeared onstage in a wheelchair at an Austin concert held in his honor. He introduced his 19-year-old son to the audience and said, "Take care of him for me, please. I love him so very, very much," according to newspaper the Mirror. In an interview in April with the Houston Chronicle, LaFave said doctors had found between 15 and 20 tumors in his chest. He was 61. Special for The Republic

April 22, 2017: Erin Moran, who spent her adolescence playing Joanie on the top-rated '70s sitcom 'Happy Days," has died. The former child star was found unresponsive by authorities on Saturday in Indiana, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Moran was 13 when she began playing the role in 1974; she was still on the series when it ended in 1984. In between, she starred in a 1982-1983 spin-off, "Joanie Loves Chachi," in which she co-starred with Scott Baio. Her acting career sputtered once "Happy Days" ended, though she occasionally appeared on reality programs such as "Scott Baio is 45... And Single" and "Celebrity Fit Club." Moran was 56. Carlo Allegri/Getty Images

May 10, 2017: Michael Parks, a '60s heartthrob who later re-emerged as a successful character actor and Quentin Tarantino favorite, has died. His screen career started in the early '60s with guest spots on such programs as "The Real McCoys" and "Perry Mason." The 1969-1970 NBC drama "Then Came Bronson," in which he played a motorcycle-riding drifter, turned him into a bonafide teen idol; his recording of "Long Lonesome Highway," the show's closing theme, even reached No. 20 on the national pop charts. Parks was a familiar presence on TV in the '70s and '80s, but a rebirth began to occur in the next century, as he transitioned into a somewhat grizzled character actor with roles in Tarantino's "Django Unchained," "Grindhouse" and "Kill Bill" franchise. He was 77. A cause of death has not been disclosed, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Special for The Republic

April 26, 2017: Jonathan Demme, the Oscar-winning director of "The Silence of the Lambs," has died. The 1991 thriller starring Jodie Foster became the third film in history to win Academy Awards in all the top five categories (picture, actor, actress, director and screenplay). Demme's other films include "Melvin and Howard," "Philadelphia," "Something Wild" and the 2004 remake of "The Manchurian Candidate." He also helmed such documentaries as "Stop Making Sense" and "Cousin Bobby." His latest film, "Ricki and the Flash," was released in 2015. Demme, 73, died from complications due to heart disease and esophageal cancer, according to Rolling Stone. Cindy Ord/Getty Images

April 12, 2017: Comedian Charlie Murphy, older brother of Eddie Murphy and a star on "Chappelle's Show," has died, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "We just lost one of the funniest most real brothers of all time," Chris Rock posted on Twitter. Murphy's publicist told the Hollywood Reporter that Murphy died from leukemia. He was 57. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

April 20, 2017: Cuba Gooding Sr., lead singer of vocal group the Main Ingredient, was found dead on Thursday in Los Angeles. Gooding, 72, was frontman for the R&B group from 1971-1977. During that period, the group scored with the million-selling "Everybody Plays the Fool" (1972) and "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely," which reached the Top 10 in 1974. Gooding, 72, had four children, including actors Omar Gooding and Cuba Gooding Jr. According to the Associated Press, the cause of death is under investigation, but drug paraphernalia and alcohol were found in the parked car. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

April 11, 2017: Dorothy Mengering, who charmed viewers appearing with her son, David Letterman, on his late-night TV program, has died. A former church secretary, she would deliver Top 10 lists from her Indiana kitchen and challenge the host to guess what pies she had baked for Thanksgiving. She donated more than $100,000 from sales of a 1996 cookbook, "Home Cookin' with Dave's Mom," to a Kiwanis International campaign to wipe out iodine deficiency disorders in developing countries. Mengering, who died in Carmel, Ind., was 90. Kurt Hostetler/Associated Press

April 11, 2017: John Warren Geils Jr., better known as musician J. Geils, has died at age 71. Geils was a vocalist and guitarist for The J. Geils Band, which he formed in Worcester, Mass., in 1967. The group, which featured lead singer Peter Wolf, achieved popularity throughout the '70s with Top 40 hits like "Must Have Got Lost" and "One Last Kiss." The group had explosive success in 1981 when the album "Freeze-Frame" spent a month at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold more than 3 million copies, powered by the title track (No. 4) and "Centerfold" (No. 1), both which received massive MTV airplay. The group disbanded in 1985 but reunited in 1999. Geils was found dead in his Groton, Mass., home; police issued that a preliminary investigation "indicates that Geils died of natural causes." Faith Ninivaggi/Associated Press

April 7, 2017: Tim Pigott-Smith, an acclaimed British actor who starred on Broadway and in the TV series "The Jewel in the Crown," has died. Pigott-Smith was already a veteran of stage and screen when he came to international attention as a sadistic police officer in British-controlled India in the 1980s miniseries "The Jewel in the Crown." On the big screen, he could be seen in "V for Vendetta," ''Gangs Of New York" and the James Bond thriller "Quantum Of Solace." For his stage work, he received both Olivier and Tony nominations for playing the title role in "King Charles III" in 2014-2016. He was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire last month, which put him on the path to knighthood. Pigott-Smith was 70 Jemal Countess/Getty Images

April 6, 2017: Don Rickles, the beloved insult comedian, has died at age 90, according to his spokesman. The comic, affectionately known as "Mr. Warmth," was a Las Vegas mainstay since the '60s and an influence on numerous comedians. A younger generation came to know him through his work as the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the "Toy Story" franchise. Rickles died of kidney failure at his Los Angeles home, TMZ reports. Special for The Republic

April 5, 2017: Paul O'Neill, who founded rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra, was found dead on April 5, 2017, in a Florida hotel room. Tampa police said no foul play was suspected; the band issued a statement saying O'Neill died as a result of a "chronic illness." Founded in 1996, the group is known for arena-rock versions of holiday songs; the band's annual Christmas tours feature lasers, fog machines and impressive lighting effects. Jim Cooper/Associated Press

March 23, 2017: Lola Albright, a sultry blonde who gained pop-culture fame playing the girlfriend of TV private eye Peter Gunn, has died. Born and raised in Ohio, Albright moved to Hollywood, Calif., in her 20s. She first gained major attention starring opposite Kirk Douglas in 1949's "Champion." She moved on to films like 1950's "When You're Smiling" (opposite Frankie Laine) and 1955's "The Tender Trap" (with Frank Sinatra). Her greatest success came as nightclub singer Edie Hart, girlfriend to the title character in NBC's "Peter Gunn." Starring with Craig Stevens, the 1958-1961 show put her on the cover of TV Guide and earned her an Emmy nomination. At the height of her fame, she recorded "Dreamsville" (1959) an album of songs she performed on the TV show that was produced by Henry Mancini. She continued to work through the 1980s, appearing on such shows as "The Incredible Hulk," "Starsky and Hutch," "Medical Center" and "Peyton Place." Albright, who was 92, died n Toluca Lake, Calif., according to the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal. Columbia Pictures

March 22, 2017: Sib Hashian, a former drummer for the band Boston, has died. Although he is the group's second drummer (he replaced Jim Masdea), he is heard on the group's first two albums. He departed the group in 1983, replaced by Masdea. Hashian was performing on a Legends of Rock Cruise ship when he collapsed, according to the New York Daily News. He was 67. Ron Pownall/Epic

March 21, 2017: Chuck Barris, who became a star as the zany host of the '70s favorite "The Gong Show," has died at age 87. In addition to creating and emceeing the 1976-1980 program, he created "The Dating Game" and "The Newlywed Game." The success of those shows made him a millionaire and earned him the nickname "The Baron of Bad Taste." Barris later wrote an autobiography, "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," in which he claimed to be a CIA assassin. The CIA called the book "absurd," but it was turned into a 2002 film directed by George Clooney. Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press

March 19, 2017: Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist JImmy Breslin has died at age 88. Considered one of the founding fathers of new journalism, the New York columnist's evocative style — writing about everyone from the man who dug President John F. Kennedy's grave to Malcolm X to Son of Sam— was designed to draw readers into his stories and provoke a reaction. He wrote several books; at the height of his fame, in the 1970s, he even pitched Piels Beer in a TV commercial. Still, "his was the triumph of the local," writer Pete Hamill told the Associated Press. "To get the local right, you have to get how people made a living, how they got paid, how they didn't get paid, and to be able to bring it to life." Special for The Republic

March 18, 2017: Chuck Berry, one of the architects of rock and roll, has died at age 90. The man behind such classics as "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Johnny B. Goode" influenced countless artists, ranging from the Beatles to Emmylou Harris. Walter Bieri, EPA

March 13, 2017: Tommy LiPuma, a five-time Grammy winner who produced albums by the likes of Barbra Streisand, Everything but the Girl, Willie Nelson, Miles Davis and Diana Krall, has died. Originally a sax player, LiPuma moved into promotions for Liberty Records in the '60s, working with artists like Vikki Carr and the Ventures. He later worked at A&M Records as a producer, where he oversaw records by Chris Montez and Claudine Longet. He formed the Blue Thumb label in 1968, then proceeded to work for virtually every major record label. Among his best-known works as a producer: Streisand's "The Way We Were" album (1974); Benson's "This Masquerade," the 1976 Record of the Year at the Grammys; and Natalie Cole's "Unforgettable ... with Love," which was named Album of the Year at the Grammys while the single "Unforgettable" earned Record of the Year. LiPuma never slowed; he co-produced Krall's upcoming "Turn Up the Quiet," due May 5. Billboard reports that he died after a brief illness; he was 80. Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

March 10, 2017: Joni Sledge, a member of the famed disco family act Sister Sledge, died Friday at her home in the metro Phoenix area. Along with siblings Kathy, Debbie and Kim, the group recorded such popular '70s tracks as "He's the Greatest Dancer," "All American Girls" and 1979's million-selling anthem "We Are Family," which became their signature tune. The group's last major hit was 1985's "Frankie," which reached No. 1 in England (it only climbed to No. 32 on the U.S. R&B charts). Sledge, who moved to the Valley in the '90s, was 60. Suzanne Starr/The Republic

March 10, 2017: Robert James Waller, the Texas author whose "The Bridges of Madison County" became a blockbuster success despite critical derision, has died. The 1992 romance novel, which Waller reportedly wrote in 11 days, spent more than three years on the New York Times bestseller list. It inspired a hit 1995 movie that starred Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood (he also directed); in 2014, a musical version of the story opened on Broadway. Waller's other books include "Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend," "Border Music" and "Puerto Vallarta Squeeze." Waller, who was 77, had been battling cancer. H. Darr Beiser/USA Today

March 6, 2017: Robert Osborne, a former Hollywood Reporter columnist who became the primary host of Turner Classic Movies for more than 20 years, has died. Osborne's first book, "Academy Awards Illustrated," was published in 1965. He joined the staff of the Hollywood Reporter in 1977 and became an on-air reporter for KTTV in Los Angeles in 1982. He joined TCM in 1994; he presented the first film to air on the network, "Gone with the Wind." In 2006, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was 84. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

March 3, 2017: Tommy Page, a singer-songwriter who topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1990 with the self-penned ballad "I'll Be Your Everything," has died at age 46. At the peak of his career, Page was a teen idol who toured with New Kids on the Block and guest-starred on such series as "Full House" and "The Arsenio Hall Show." Page later worked as an executive at Warner Bros. Records, then spent two years as the publisher of music-industry publication Billboard. The cause of death was an apparent suicide, according to Billboard. Sire Recording Co.

Feb. 26, 2017: Judge Joseph Wapner, who rose to fame as the original host of "The People's Court," has died at age 97. Wapner presided over the program from 1981 to 1993. He became a popular media personality, writing a 1987 memoir, "A View From the Bench." He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009. David Wapner said his father died Sunday at home in his sleep, according to the Associated Press. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

March 3, 2017: Miriam Colon, an influential character actress who appeared in films alongside Marlon Brando and Chris Cooper, has died. Colon, who was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, starred in more than 250 TV episodes and more than 90 films in a screen career than began in 1951. Her best-known films include "One-Eyed Jacks" (1961) with Brando, "Lone Star" (1996) with Cooper and 1983's "Scarface," in which she played the the mother of Tony Montana (Al Pacino). In 1967, she founded the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater in New York, where she helped cultivate young Latino actors and writers and staged work that would later be read in Latino Studies classes across the Americas. In 2015, President Barack Obama presented the National Medal of Arts to Colon for her work as an actress and theater founder. Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press

Feb. 25, 2017: Bill Paxton, a journeyman actor who appeared in such films as "Twister," "Titanic," "Apollo 13" and "Aliens," has died following complications from surgery. Born in 1955, the Texas-born actor was a favorite of James Cameron, appearing in the director's "Aliens" and "True Lies" in addition to playing the salvage-team captain in "Titanic." He earned three Golden Globe nominations playing a bigamist in the HBO series "Big Love." He also nabbed a 2012 Emmy nomination for his work on the miniseries "Hatfields & McCoys." Paxton was 61. Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

Feb. 25, 2017: Neil Fingleton, a 7-foot 7-inch British actor who played the giant Mag the Mighty in "Game of Thrones," has died. Born in 1980, Fingleton was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2007 as the U.K.'s tallest man. His height made him a basketball natural, and Fingleton played college basketball in the United States for the University of North Carolina and the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. He went on to a short professional basketball career in the United States and Europe before turning to acting. He was 36. Geoff Caddick/Associated Press

Feb. 23, 2017: Leon Ware, an influential songwriter and producer who worked with such artists as Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Teena Marie, Ike and Tina Turner, Quincy Jones and Melissa Manchester in a long career, has died. Ware, who was born in Detroit, co-produced and co-wrote Gaye's classic 1976 disc "I Want You," which produced the title song, a No. 1 R&B hit. He also wrote such songs as Jackson's "I Wanna Be Where You Are," Lulu's "Independence" and Maxwell's "Sumthin' Sumthin'." His "If I Ever Lose This Heaven" was recorded by the likes of the Average White Band, Nancy Wilson, Sergio Mendes and Quincy Jones, who cut a version with Al Jarreau, Minnie Riperton and Ware on vocals. Other production work includes Manchester's "Don't Cry Out Loud" album and Syreeta's "One to One." In later years, Ware's worked was sampled by such artists as Jay-Z, a Tribe Called Quest and Ice Cube. Ware was 77, according to Billboard. Earl Gibson III/Getty Images

Feb. 23, 2017: Alan Colmes, the liberal foil to Sean Hannity on "Hannity & Colmes," has died at age 66. Colmes, a New York City native and Hofstra University graduate, worked in radio and as a comedian before joining the Fox network in 1996. "Hannity & Colmes," which ran from 1996 to 2009, used the back-and-forth banter between the commentators to power the program, which became the second-highest series on a cable-news network for a time. According to a statement from his family, Holmes died after "a brief illness." Mary Altaffer/Associated Press

Feb. 18, 2017: Clyde Stubblefield, a drummer who provided the beat for such James Brown classics as "Cold Sweat," "Mother Popcorn" and "I've Got the Feelin'," has died. His solo on Brown's 1970 single "Funky Drummer" has been been sampled on more than 1,000 songs, according to Rolling Stone. In 2014, he was named the second best drummer of all time by LA Weekly magazine. Stubblefield, 73, died from kidney failure. John Hart/Associated Press

Feb. 17, 2017: Peter Skellern, a British singer-songwriter whose song "You're a Lady" became something of a contemporary standard, has died at age 69. Skellern, who was born in Bury, Greater Manchester, released his first album, "You're a Lady" in 1972. The title song, a whispery, old-fashioned ballad, reached No. 3 in England and No. 50 in the United States, though it rose to No. 11 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart in Billboard. Soon there were several cover versions, including recordings by Tony Orlando & Dawn, Jack Jones, Johnny Mathis, Brigitte Bardot and Lou Rawls, among others. Skellern continued to have success in his native country, with discs like 1979's "Astaire" and 1982's "A String of Pearls," both collections of standards, hitting the British charts. He also wrote the lyrics to "One More Kiss, Dear," which was featured in 1982's "Blade Runner." He was a popular concert and cabaret performer, often appearing with friend and fellow songwriter Richard Stilgoe ("Starlight Express," "The Phantom of the Opera"). According to the BBC, Skellern announced that he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor last year; later, in October, he was ordained as a priest and a deacon in the Church of England on the same day. Skellern is survived by his wife, Diana, and two children. Decca Records

Feb. 16, 2017: George "The Animal" Steele, a WWE Hall of Famer, has died. Born William James Myers, the athlete had a master's degree from Central Michigan University and worked as a teacher and coach before becoming a WWE villain. He made his wrestling debut in 1967 and retired in 1988 after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease. He was 79. Special for The Republic

Feb. 17, 2017: Nicole Bass, a bodybuilder known for frequent appearances on Howard Stern's radio program, has died, according to a post on her Facebook page. Bass became a favorite guest of Stern, who would discuss her physical size and deep voice. She was signed by the then-WWF and debuted with the organization in 1999 for a short-lived run; she later accused the organization of sexual harassment, but the case was dismissed. Bass was 52. Robert Spencer/Associated Press

Feb. 12, 2017: Al Jarreau, a jazz singer who crossed over to the pop charts and found mainstream success, has died. In 1975, Reprise Records issued his first album, "We Got By," which garnered critical acclaim, but it was 1981's "Breakin' Away" that turned the smooth vocalist into a major player. The platinum-selling disc featured such radio hits as "We're in Love This Together" and "Roof Garden," and reached the Top 10 on the pop charts and No. 1 on the jazz and R&B listings in Billboard. Jarreau became a regular presence on the talk-show circuit, and he also appeared on programs such as "Sheena Easton: Act One" and "Saturday Night Live." Subsequent hits included "Mornin'," The Music of Goodbye" (a duet with Melissa Manchester) and the theme song from TV's "Moonlighting." Jarreau was awarded seven Grammys in his career; his most recent win came in 2007 for a collaboration with Jill Scott and George Benson on "God Bless the Child." Jarreau was 76. Rachel Murray/Getty Images

Feb. 6, 2017: Alec McCowen, a Tony-nominated stage star with an international career, has died at age 91. The British actor made his West End debut in 1950, appearing in Anton Chekhov's "Ivanov." His Broadway debut came the following year, playing a small role in a production of "Caesar and Cleopatra" that featured Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. The versatile McCowen would go to earn three Tony Award nominations for best actor: 1969's "Hadrian VII," 1971's "The Philanthropist" and 1979's "St. Mark's Gospel." The latter, a one-man show in which McCowen played characters such as Pontius Pilate and Jesus, became closely identified with the actor, and he even performed the show at the White House. In 1990, he revived the show in an off-Broadway production. Other notable credits include the original London production of "Equus" and "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me," his last Broadway appearance, in 1992-1993. The actor also found success on film, starring in "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" (1962), Alfred Hitchcock's "Frenzy" (1972)," the Harrison Ford drama "Hanover Street" (1979) and Martin Scorsese's 2002's "Gangs of New York." McCowen died at his London home. Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press

Jan. 26, 2017: Barbara Hale, a film actress who found TV fame as Perry Mason's loyal secretary, has died. Hale appeared in the iconic mystery series from 1957 to 1966, winning an Emmy as best actress in 1959. When the show was revived in 1985 on NBC as an occasional TV movie, she again appeared in court as Della Street, always at the side of the ever-victorious lawyer played by Raymond Burr. Hale was married to actor Bill Williams, whom she met in 1945 while making the film "West of the Pecos." The couple, who was married until Williams' death in 1992, had three children, including actor William Katt. Hale, who was 94, died at her Los Angeles home. Special for The Republic

Feb. 7, 2017: Richard Hatch, a TV actor who became a heartthrob in the '70s thanks to "Battlestar Galactica," has died. After appearing on "All My Children" in the early '70s, the actor became a fixture on TV, appearing on "Hawaii Five-O" and "The Rookies." He replaced Michael Douglas in the final season of "The Streets of San Francisco" (1976-1977), but found his greatest fame playing dashing Captain Apollo in "Battlestar Galactica." The show, which premiered in 1978 and initially lasted one season, made him a favorite in teen magazines. The actor, 71, died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Mark Davis/Getty Images

Feb. 6, 2017: Irwin Corey, a bushy-haired comic and actor known as "Professor" Irwin Corey to audiences, has died at age 102. Famed for his comedic double talk full of non sequiturs, Corey made his Broadway debut in 1943. He became a favorite of nightclub and TV audiences. He later had a successful film career, appearing in such disparate vehicles as "How to Commit Marriage" (1969), 1976's "Car Wash" and Woody Allen's "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" in 2001. Corey remained active in the 2000s, appearing on Broadway in a 2004 revival of "Sly Fox" (pictured). Corey died at his Manhattan home, according to the Washington Post. Jim Cooper/Associated Press

Jan. 25, 2017: Mary Tyler Moore, who starred in two iconic TV sitcoms, has died at age 80. The actress, who was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., first captured the public's heart as suburban housewife Laura Petrie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961-1966), winning two Emmy Awards. She made an even stronger impression as Mary Richards, the optimistic producer of a TV-news show, on "Mary Tyler Moore," which ran from 1970-1977. The beloved sitcom became one of the most honored shows in Emmy history, winning 29 awards, including three for Moore's performance. She later earned an Oscar nomination for her work in "Ordinary People" (1980) and gained a Tony Award for her role on Broadway as a quadriplegic in "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" Moore is survived by her third husband, Robert Levine. Associated Press

Jan. 24, 2017: Butch Trucks, a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, has died. Along with Jai "Jaimoe" Johanny Johanson, Trucks was one of the group's two original drummers upon its founding in 1969. The band helped define the Southern rock sound through such influential discs as "At the Fillmore East" (1971) and "Brothers and Sisters" (1973). After the group's final breakup in 2014, Trucks formed his own outfit, Butch Trucks and the Freight Train Band. According to Rolling Stone, Trucks performed his last concert on Jan. 6, 2017. Trucks, who died in West Palm Beach, Fla., was 69. Chris Pizzello/Associated Press

Feb. 5, 2017: Sonny Geraci, a vocalist who scored two major hits with different bands, has died. Born in Cleveland, Geraci was lead singer for the Outsiders, which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the rousing 1966 single "Time Won't Let Me." The group splintered apart, and Geraci formed Climax, which reached No. 3 in 1972 with the ballad "Precious and Few." The tune, a slow-dance favorite featuring Geraci's yearning vocal, went on to sell more than a million copies, earning gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. Geraci later toured on the nostalgia circuit, but his career was halted in 2012 after he suffered a brain aneurysm, according to Fox 8 (WJW) in Cleveland. Geraci was 69. Special for The Republic

July 27, 2017: Emmanuelle Riva, a French star of screen and stage who was nominated for an Academy Award for best actress in 2013, has died. Her 60-year career was highlighted by such films as "Hiroshima Mon Amour" (1959),"Léon Morin, Priest" (1961) and "Therese," for which she was named best actress at the 1962 Venice Film Festival. Riva was Oscar-nominated for her role in "Amour, " Michael Haneke's brutal depiction of an aging couple. The actress, who was 89, died in a Paris clinic after a long illness. Tiziana Fabi/I, AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 23, 2017: Bimba Bosé, a model, singer, actress and TV personality, has died after a two-year fight with breast cancer. Born in Italy as Eleonora Salvatore González, Bosé became known as the face of Tom Ford’s Gucci and Versus Versace campaigns in the 2000s. In 2007, she debuted as a singer, recording the single "Como Un Lobo" with her uncle, Spanish singer Miguel Bosé. The two performed the song on that year's Latin Grammy ceremony in Las Vegas. The following year, she formed the Cabriolets, which recorded three albums and one EP, according to Billboard. Bosé's death was met with an outpouring on social media from such stars as Laura Pausini, Alejandro Sanz and her uncle, who posted on Twitter: "Have a good trip Bimba, my accomplice, my partner, my love, my dear daughter." She was 41. Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images

Jan. 21, 2017: Maggie Roche, a member of a musical family group that featured her two sisters, has died at age 65. Along with sisters Terre and Suzzy, the Roches recorded several albums, both as a trio and in various combinations of duos. Maggie and Terre sang background on Paul Simon's 1973 "There Goes Rhymin' Simon," which led to a 1975 debut album by the two siblings, "Seductive Reasoning." As a trio, they signed with Warner Bros. in 1979, releasing several discs that showcased Maggie's songwriting and their tight familial harmonies. Roche died of cancer, according to the Associated Press. Special for The Republic

Jan. 27, 2017: Oscar-nominated actor John Hurt, one of the screen's most gifted performers, has died at age 77. Hurt earned Oscar nominations for "Midnight Express" (1978) and 1980's "The Elephant Man," in which he played disfigured John Merrick. The latter performance became his signature role, though he lost out on the Oscar to Robert De Niro in "Raging Bull." Hurt's other films include "Alien," "Spaceballs," last year's "Jackie" and the "Harry Potter" franchise. The actor was knighted in 2015 by Queen Elizabeth II. Hurt died of cancer in London, according to the Associated Press. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Jan. 31, 2017: Frank Pellegrino, an actor who appeared on "The Sopranos," has died. Pellegrino played FBI New Jersey bureau chief Frank Cubitoso in the long-running mob series, appearing in 11 episodes. Other TV work includes "New York Undercover" and "Swift Justice." On the big screen, he appeared in "Goodfellas," "Angie" and "Mickey Blue Eyes." In addition to his acting career, Pellegrino was a restaurateur who co-owned Rao's in East Harlem, N.Y., an exclusive old-school Italian eatery. Pellegrino, 72, was suffering from lung cancer, USA Today reports. Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Jan. 18, 2017: Roberta Peters, a coloratura soprano who achieved mainstream popularity in a long career, has died. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Peters performed at the Metropolitan Opera 515 times over a 35-year period, according to the New York Times. Her career was launched in 1950 when she played Zerlina in Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” at the Met, a part for which she was a last-minute substitute. A photogenic, personable performer, Peters was a frequent guest on such TV programs as "The Mike Douglas Show," "Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall," "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Jack Benny Program" and "The Hollywood Squares." She also ventured into acting, appearing in a 1975 episode of "Medical Center" and the 1996 Al Pacino film "City Hall." She was awarded a National Medal of Arts in 1998. Peters, who was 86, died of Parkinson's disease. Jeff Geissler/Associated Press

Jan. 31, 2017: Musician John Wetton, who founded the '80s supergroup Asia and was a member of King Crimson, has died. The British bassist and singer also appeared on discs by Bryan Ferry, Uriah Heep and Brian Eno. Wetton, who was 67, died from colon cancer, according to his publicity firm. Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images

Jan. 12, 2017: William Peter Blatty, an author whose book "The Exorcist" became a phenomenon, has died. Blatty's book about demonic possession was published in 1971, followed two years later by a film version, for which he wrote the screenplay. He earned an Oscar for the script, one of two Academy Awards the film earned. He never experienced another success on that scale, but he continued to write. He branched into directing with the 1990 film "The Exorcist III," for which he adapted his 1983 book "Legion." Blatty was 89. H. Darr Beiser/USA Today

Jan. 19, 2017: Miguel Ferrer, a member of a Hollywood dynasty and an acclaimed actor in his own right, has died. Ferrer, the son of Oscar winner Jose Ferrer and singer Rosemary Clooney, began acting in the early '80s. He has a long string of big-screen credits, including "RoboCop" (1987), "Iron Man 3" (2013) and "Revenge" (1990). He was a busy character actor on TV, with regular roles on "Crossing Jordan," "Twin Peaks," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "LateLine" and "Shannon's Deal." Blessed with a distinctive speaking voice, he did voice work for such films as "Mulan," "Rio 2" and "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2." His last IMDB credit is the upcoming reboot of "Twin Peaks." Ferrer, who was 61, died of cancer, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Survivors include a wife and two sons; his extended family includes sister-in-law Debby Boone and George Clooney, a first cousin. Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 26, 2017: Mike Connors, a handsome actor who played the tough-talking title character on the long-running detective series "Mannix," has died. The series, a ratings winner for CBS, “Mannix” ran for eight seasons from 1967 to 1975. Born Kreker J. Ohanian in Fresno, Calif., his film career started in the '50s, billed as "Touch" Connors. His long resume includes films like "Panic Button" (1964), "The Ten Commandments" (1956) and 1980's "Nightkill" (which was filmed in Arizona). Still, private eye Joe Mannix was the role forever identified with the star, and he also appeared as the character in "Here's Lucy" and "Diagnosis: Murder." Connors, 91, was diagnosed a week ago with leukemia, according to Variety. Associated Press

Jan. 13, 2017: Dick Gautier, a comic actor who starred on Broadway and was a constant presence on game shows in the 70s, has died. In 1960, Gautier played Conrad Birdie in the original Broadway production of "Bye Bye Birdie," earning a Tony nomination. He soon began landing TV roles, appearing on "Bewitched," "Gidget" and "The Patty Duke Show." He was a regular on the sitcom "Mr. Terrific" and appeared in six episodes of "Get Smart," playing Hymie, a handsome robot. In the '70s and early '80s, he was hard to miss on daytime-TV game shows, appearing on "Password," Match Game," Tattletales" and "The Hollywood Squares." Gautier, who was 85, died at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles County. Valerie Macon/Getty Images

Jan. 10, 2017: Buddy Greco, a talented jazz vocalist and pianist who gained great popularity in the nightclub scene of the '50s and '60s, has died in Las Vegas. Greco, who was born in Philadelphia, got his start at age 16 performing with the Benny Goodman Orchestra. He later signed with Epic Records, where he released such acclaimed discs as "Songs for Swinging Losers" (1961), "Buddy & Soul" (1962) and "My Last Night in Rome" (1964). In 1967, he hosted the CBS variety series "Away We Go," which also featured George Carlin and Buddy Rich. Greco's style — cocky, confident and hard-swinging —combined with his handsome looks made him a favorite of audiences in Las Vegas, where he remained a headliner for decades. He died at age 90, according to KNPR-FM (88.9) in Las Vegas. Wade Byars

Jan. 7, 2017: Nat Hentoff, a jazz critic, author, political commentator and journalist, has died. Hentoff wrote for the Village Voice for five decades, and contributed articles to the New Yorker and Down Beat magazine. His books range from memoirs and social commentary to such young-adult favorites as "I'm Really Dragged But Nothing Gets Me Down." Hentoff died at his New York home, the New York Times reports. He was 91. United Media

Jan. 6, 2017: Om Puri, a versatile actor who appeared in Hollywood, Bollywood and British films, has died. The star was probably best known to American audiences for playing a warm-hearted patriarch in 2014's "The Hundred-Foot Journey" opposite Helen Mirren. Puri studied acting at the leading Film and Television Institute of India and the National School of Drama. He was made an honorary officer of the Order of the British Empire for his contribution to British cinema in 2004. His breakthrough film was the 1983 gritty drama "Ardh Satya," or "Half Truth," about a young policeman's crisis of conscience as he deals with the nexus of crime and politics in India. Puri, who suffered a heart attack, was 66. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Dec. 31, 2016: William Christopher, who played kindly Father Mulcahy on the CBS sitcom “M*A*S*H,” has died. Christopher played the role for the show's 1972-1983 run, though actor George Morgan played the role in the pilot episode. Following the program's demise, Christopher starred in "After Mash" and, in 2012, "Days of Our Lives." Christopher died at his home in Pasadena, Calif., according to trade publication Variety. He was 84. CBS

Dec. 28, 2016: Pierre Barouh, a songwriter, singer and actor, has died, according to the L’Agence France-Presse news agency. Along with Francis Lai, Barouh wrote the the title song to the classic 1966 film "A Man and a Woman," in which he also appeared. The song earned a Golden Globe nomination and emerged as a standard, recorded by Engelbert Humperdinck, Johnny Mathis, Matt Monro and Ella Fitzgerald, among others. Barouh continued to act and record, releasing albums into the 21st century. He was 82. Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images

Dec. 28, 2016: Debbie Reynolds, an actress and singer from Hollywood's golden age, has died. Her death comes one day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher. Reynolds' long career is highlighted by such films as the 1952 classic "Singin' in the Rain," as well as "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" (1964) and "The Catered Affair" (1956). She starred in the 1957 film "Tammy and the Bachelor" and performed the title song, simply called "Tammy." Her recording would spend five weeks at No. 1, making it one of the biggest hits of the era. Reynolds' career later expanded to include theater, nightclubs and concert appearances. Survivors include her son, Todd Fisher; and granddaughter Billie Lourd, whose mother was Carrie Fisher. Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Dec. 24, 2016: Richard Adams, whose 1972 novel "Watership Down" inspired both an animated film and TV series, has died at age 96. The British author wrote several other books, including "The Plague Dogs" and "Tales from Watership Down," a 1996 follow-up to his best-known book. His daughter, Juliet Johnson, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that Adams died in Oxfordshire, England. Associated Press

Dec. 27, 2016: Carrie Fisher, the princess of Hollywood who became a young star playing a princess in "Star Wars," has died following a heart attack suffered on a flight from London to Los Angeles, according to reports from TMZ and People. She was 60. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Dec. 19, 2016: Michele Morgan, a French actress who found success in both French and English-language films, has died. Morgan received Cannes' first best actress award for her performance in "Pastoral Symphony" in 1946. Other films included 1948's "The Fallen Idol" (with Ralph Richardson) and 1938's "Port of Shadows." In a statement announcing her death, French President Francois Hollande said that she was "a legend who marked numerous generations," according to the Associated Press. She was 96. Patrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty Images

Dec. 15, 2016: Fran Jeffries, a singer and actress who was a familiar presence on the variety-show circuit of the '60s, has died. Jeffries appeared in such films as "The Pink Panther" (1963), "Sex and the Single Girl" (1964) and the 1965 Elvis Presley vehicle "Harum Scarum." She often sang in her film roles; in "The Pink Panther," she introduced the Henry Mancini song "It Had Better Be Tonight." She was married five times, including a 1958-1965 union with singer Dick Haymes, with whom she often performed. She recorded several albums; 2000's "All the Love" was her most recent release. Jeffries died at her home in Los Angeles, the New York Times reports. She was 79. Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

Dec. 26, 2016: Ricky Harris, a comedian and actor known for multiple appearances on the sitcoms "Everybody Hates Chris" and "Moesha," has died. Snoop Dogg posted a video on Instagram about the death of Harris saying the actor was "my big brother, my homeboy" and a "Long Beach original." Harris was 54. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Dec. 19, 2016: Actor Dick Latessa, who won a Tony Award in 2003 for playing the father of Tracy Turnblad in the original Broadway production of "Hairspray," has died. The veteran stage actor made his Broadway debut in 1968, appearing in "The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N." He would continue to tread the boards in New York for the next several decades, becoming a favorite of Broadway audiences. The actor had an affinity for the works of Neil Simon, starring in the playwright's "Chapter Two," "Brighton Beach Memoirs," "I Ought to Be in Pictures," "Broadway Bound" and the 2010 revival of "Promises, Promises." His final Broadway appearance came in 2012, when he starred in "The Lyons" opposite Linda Lavin. On TV, he appeared in such programs as "The Black Donnellys," "Law & Order" and "The Sopranos." Latessa was 87, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Dec. 25, 2016: Singer George Michael died over the Christmas holiday, according to a statement issued by his publicist on Sunday. The British singer-songwriter, who first became part of the pop-culture landscape as half of the '80s duo Wham!, was 53. "He was ever a gentle, unassuming soul," singer-songwriter Alison Moyet said on Twitter. "A rare presence in a world full of self. Honest, genuine talent.’’ Michael Chow/The Republic

Dec. 24, 2016: Rick Parfitt, guitarist for influential British rock band Status Quo, has died. Though regarded as a one-hit-wonder act in the United States — 1968's "Pictures of Matchstick Men" reached No. 12 on these shores, their only Top 40 hit — the group has been a force on the British music scene since the '60s. The group has charted more than 60 singles in the U.K. charts; this year, the album "Aquostic II: That’s a Fact!" reached No. 7 on the British album chart. In September, Parfitt announced that he would no longer tour with the band due to health reasons. He died from septicemia in Marbella, Spain, where he lived for part of the year. He was 68. Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images

Dec. 18, 2016: Gordie Tapp, a comic actor who starred in 90 episodes of the variety program "Hee Haw" between 1969 and 1988, has died. Tapp also wrote for the long-running show, in which he created such characters as Cousin Clem, Samuel B. Sternwheeler and cuckolded husband Lavern Nagger. The Canadian-born Tapp died in Ontario, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He was 94. Special for The Republic

Dec. 18, 2016: Zsa Zsa Gabor, actress, socialite, jet-setter and larger-than-life personality, has died at age 99 at her home in Bel Air, Calif. The Hungarian star was the middle sister of the Gabor siblings: Eva (star of "Green Acres") was younger and Magda, also an actress, was older. Better known for her multiple marriages — she reportedly wed nine times — than her film or TV career, Gabor's spouses included movie star George Sanders and hotelier Conrad Hilton, who fathered her only child, Francesca, who died in 2015. Gabor died of a heart attack, according to her husband, Prince Frederic von Anhalt. Associated Press

Dec. 15, 2016: Craig Sager, NBA sideline reporter for Turner Sports, has died, the network announced. Sager, 65, battled a rare form of cancer for more than two years, undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy and other treatments. He worked 26 seasons as a sideline reporter for Turner Sports’ NBA broadcasts on TNT. Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports

Dec. 14, 2016: Bernard Fox, a mustachioed character actor who played the mischievous Dr. Bombay on TV's "Bewitched," has died. The British actor starred as the warlock physician who was summoned by Samantha Stephens with the memorable cry: "Calling Dr. Bombay, calling Dr. Bombay. Emergency! Come right away!" His extensive credits also include "Hogan's Heroes," ''The Dyke Van Dyke Show" and ''Murder, She Wrote" on the small screen, while his movie work includes "Titanic," "The Mummy" and "The Rescuers." Fox, who was 89, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital, the Associated Press reports. ABC

Dec. 13, 2016: Alan Thicke, who achieved his greatest fame playing a sensible dad on the long-running ABC sitcom "Growing Pains," has died after suffering a heart attack. Thicke, who was 69, played Dr. Jason Seaver during the show's entire 1985-1992 run, as well as returning for TV-movie reunions in 2000 and 2004. Born in Canada, the performer first gained U.S. fame as the host of the syndicated talk show "Thicke of the Night," which ran for one season beginning in 1983. A singer and songwriter, he wrote the theme songs for such programs as "Diff'rent Strokes" (he also sang the tune) and "The Facts of Life," which was performed and co-written by his then-wife, singer and actress Gloria Loring. After "Growing Pains," Thicke continued to appear on TV, as an actor, host and reality-TV personality. Recent guest spots have included "This Is Us," "Fuller House" and "Celebrity Wife Swap." Survivors include his wife, Tanya Callau, and three sons, including singer Robin Thicke. Loring posted on Facebook: "It is a shock. We were all just together for Thanksgiving. He was talented, funny and deeply devoted to his family. Rest In Peace, dear one." Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Dec. 8, 2016: Actor Joseph Mascolo, who gained fame as a memorable daytime villain on "Days of Our Lives," has died. The actor, who first appeared on Broadway in 1962, found steady work in film and on TV. His big-screen credits include "Jaws 2" and "Shaft's Big Score!" On television, he guest-starred on such shows as "All in the Family," "Kojak" and "The Rockford Files" before joining "Days of Our Lives" in 1982. His character, Stefano DiMera, would appear off and on the program, last appearing on an episode that aired this past July. He ultimately starred in more than 1,600 episodes of the NBC soap. He also had regular roles on "General Hospital" and "The Bold and Beautiful," in which he appeared from 2001 to 2006. Mascolo, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, was 87. Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Dec. 6, 2016: Peter Vaughan, a character actor best-known for playing Maester Aemon on "Game of Thrones," has died. The British performer had a screen career that dated back to the '50s. He appeared in a wide variety of films, including "Straw Dogs" (1971) opposite Dustin Hoffman, "Time Bandits" (1981) and "Death at a Funeral" (2007). On television, he appeared on the U.K. sitcom "Porridge," as well as 1985's "Bleak House," which aired in the United States as part of "Masterpiece Theatre" on PBS. Vaughan was 93. HBO

Nov. 23, 2016: Andrew Sachs, best known for his role as Manuel in the 1970s comedy "Fawlty Towers" opposite John Cleese, has died. The German-born British actor had been suffering from vascular dementia, and the Sachs family kept his illness and death quiet until after services were concluded. He was 86. Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images

Nov. 24, 2016: Mexican actor and TV personality Renato Lopez has died at age 33, according to a statement released by the Mexico State Attorney General's Office. Lopez currently has a film in release in Mexico, "Machos." He hosted TV programs for such networks as E!, Telehit and Mun2. He also has worked as a musician and songwriter; his composition "Fuego con Fuego" was recorded by Gloria Trevi. The bodies of Lopez and publicist Omar Giron Juarez were found with bullet wounds inside a car outside of Mexico City on Nov. 25, Fox News reports. Larry Marano/Getty Images

Nov. 25, 2016: Emmy-nominated actor Ron Glass, who gained fame playing a fussy detective on ABC's "Barney Miller," has died. Glass appeared on the acclaimed sitcom, which ran from 1975 to 1982, for its entire run. He earned an Emmy nomination in the show's final season for his portrayal of Ron Harris. The actor, who was born in Evansville, Ind., began appearing on TV in the early '70s, nabbing guest spots on such programs as "The Streets of San Francisco," "All in the Family," "Maude" and "Good Times." Following the demise of "Barney Miller," he continued to appear on TV, starring as Felix Unger in "The New Odd Couple" and, most notably, 14 episodes of the science-fiction show "Firefly." Glass, who was 71, died of respiratory failure, according to USA Today. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Nov. 12, 2016: Mexican actress Lupita Tovar, who starred in the 1931 Spanish-language version of "Dracula," has died at age 106. The actress, who was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, was part of a powerful Hollywood family. She was married to producer and talent agent Paul Kohner; their daughter, Susan Kohner, earned an Oscar nomination for the 1959 film "Imitation of Life." Tovar's grandsons, Chris and Paul Weitz, are well-known directors ("About a Boy," "American Pie"). Tovar's other films include "Santa" (1931), the first Mexican film with sound. Tovar left her acting career behind in the '40s to focus on raising her family. She was honored in 1982 with a Mexican stamp that bore her image; in 2006, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences paid tribute to her accomplishments. Tovar, seen in 2006, died in Los Angeles, according to the Washington Post. Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images

Nov. 24, 2016: Florence Henderson, who starred as one of TV's most iconic moms in the 1969-1974 ABC sitcom "The Brady Bunch," has died. The singer and actress first appeared on Broadway in the 1950s, then became a frequent guest on TV, regularly visiting talk and variety shows. Her greatest fame came as Carol Brady, the matriarch of a blended family, on the perpetually sunny sitcom, which gained new life in reruns. She remained a presence on TV once the show ended, hosting the TNN series "Country Kitchen" and pitching Wesson cooking oil in a series of commercials. More recently, she appeared on "Dancing with the Stars," both as a competitor (she came in eighth in 2010) and as a guest this season, rooting and performing with Maureen McCormick, who played her eldest daughter on "The Brady Bunch." Henderson died of heart failure, according to her family. She was 82. Michelle Pemberton/Indy Star

Nov. 18, 2016: Soul singer Sharon Jones, bandleader of the Dap-Kings often referred to as the "female James Brown," died following a battle with pancreatic cancer. She received her first Grammy Award nomination in 2014 for her album, "Give the People What They Want." Miss Sharon Jones!, a documentary that followed Jones' first seven months post-diagnosis, was released in July. She was 60. David Kadlubowski/The Republic

Nov. 15, 2016: Actress Lisa Lynn Masters, known for her roles in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Ugly Betty, died of an apparent suicide according to media reports. The actress, who was in Peru to take part in a modeling event, was found dead in her hotel room. She was 52. Jon Kopaloff

Nov. 10, 2016: Legendary singer-songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen has died at age 82. The member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame had an illustrious career that spanned five decades. Many will recognize his iconic song "1984's "Hallelujah," which was famously covered by Jeff Buckley in 1994. Mike Lawrie/Getty Images

Nov. 3, 2016: Kay Starr, whose distinctive blend of pop, jazz, blues and country made her one of the nation's top vocalists in the '50s, has died. Starr, who began performing as a teenager, topped the national chart twice: 1952's "Wheel of Fortune" spent 10 weeks at No. 1 while 1956's "The Rock and Roll Waltz" stayed at No. 1 for six weeks. Starr later recorded several acclaimed albums for Capitol Records, including "Movin'!" (1959), "Movin' On Broadway!" (1960) and "I Cry By Night" (1962). After the hits faded, she continued to perform in casinos and clubs; for a time in the '80s, she was part of the 4 Girls 4 concert act that also featured Margaret Whiting and Rose Marie. Starr continued to occasionally record, cutting a duet with Tony Bennett in 2001 for his disc "Playin' With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues." Starr, who was 94, died at her home in Los Angeles. Special for The Republic

Oct. 30, 2016: Tammy Grimes, who catapulted to fame playing "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" on Broadway, has died. Grimes, who starred from 1960 to 1962 in the Meredith Willson musical, won a Tony Award for her performance. The quirky-voiced actress earned a second Tony in 1969 for "Private Lives." At the height of her fame in the mid '60s, she starred on her own ABC sitcom, "The Tammy Grimes Show," and recorded for Columbia Records. She was married to actor Christopher Plummer from 1956 to 1960; actress Amanda Plummer is their daughter. The performer, who was 82, died in Englewood, N.J., the New York Times reports. Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Sept. 25, 2016: Influential honky-tonk singer Jean Shepard, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has died at age 82. Shepard's first hit single, 1953's "A Dear John Letter," was a duet with Ferlin Husky. The disc topped the country charts and crossed over to the pop Top 10. Shepard continued to reach the charts through the '70s with such songs as "A Satisfied Mind," "Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar)" and "Slippin' Away." The Grand Ole Opry celebrated her 60th year as a member last November. The death of Shepard, seen at the Opry in 1973, was announced by her son, Hawkshaw Hawkins Jr. "Mom has been called home this morning and is now at peace," his statement reads, according to Billboard. Frank Empson/The Tennessean

Oct. 21, 2016: Kevin Meaney, a veteran stand-up comedian known for the catchphrase “That’s not right!” died Friday, his agent confirmed. He also appeared with Tom Hanks in the 1988 movie, Big; on The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live and on Broadway in the musical Hairspray. He was found unresponsive in his Forestburgh, N.Y., home. An autopsy is pending. He was 60. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Oct. 10, 2016: Gonzalo Vega, a popular Mexican actor who first appeared on screen in 1969, has died after a battle with a form of bone marrow cancer. Vega received an Ariel Award, Mexico's equivalent of the Oscar, for best actor for the 1987 film "Lo Que Importa Es Vivir." He retired in 2010 after being diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, but he later returned to performing, starring in the successful 2013 comedy "Nosotros Los Nobles." Vega's two daughters, Zuria and Marimar, are both TV actresses. Vega died in Mexico City with his wife, son and daughters by his side, according to the BBC. He was 69. Warner Bros. Pictures Mexico

Sept. 25, 2016: Musician Kashif, an R&B hitmaker in the '80s, has died at age 59, according to music-industry publication Billboard. Kashif, whose real name was Michael Jones, launched his recording career in 1983. Singles such as "I Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On)," "Love the One I'm With (A Lot of Love)" and "Personality" all reached the Top 10 on the R&B charts. Equally talented behind the scenes, he produced Whitney Houston's "You Give Good Love" and wrote "Love Come Down" and "Betcha She Don't Love You" for Evelyn "Champagne" King. Kashif (seen in 2004) also recorded with Dionne Warwick, Kenny G, George Benson, Jermaine Jackson and Melba Moore. Giulio Marcocchi/Getty Images

Sept. 1, 2016: Character actor Jon Polito was a favorite of the Coen brothers and appeared in such films as "Miller's Crossing" and "The Big Lebowski" and shows like "Seinfeld" and "Modern Family." He died Thursday of cancer, according to his managers. He was 65. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Sept. 24, 2016: Veteran character actor Bill Nunn, whose credits ranged from the Spider-Man movie franchise to Lee's Do the Right Thing, He Got Game and School Daze, has died. He also played a stuttering enforcer in the 1991 gangster film New Jack City, and a no-nonsense EMT and Vietnam vet Cassius "Cash" Clay in the TV comedy series Sirens from 2014-15. Nunn died at his home in Pittsburgh after battling cancer, according to The Associated Press. He was 63. Robert Mora/Getty Images

Sept. 17, 2016: Charmian Carr, who sang "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" as eldest daughter Liesl in the classic film "The Sound of Music," has died. Born Dec. 27, 1942, Carr was 22 when the 1965 musical was released. She never appeared in another big-screen feature; later, she authored two books connected to her experiences making the film: "Forever Liesl" (2000) and "Letters to Liesl" (2001). Carr died of complications from dementia, according to the Associated Press. She was 73. Special for The Republic

Sept. 5, 2016: Actor Hugh
O'Brian, a handsome television leading man who gained fame playing the title character on the 1955-1961 series "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp," has died at age 91. The actor's long career also includes such films as "Come Fly with Me" (1963) and "The Shootist" (1976). A familiar face to TV viewers, he guest-starred on such programs as "Fantasy Island," "Police Story," "L.A. Law" and "Murder, She Wrote." Respected for his philanthropic work, O'Brian (seen in 1983) founded the Hugh O'Brian Leadership Foundation in 1958, a program for high-school students that boasts more than 450,000 alumni. The Foundation announced his death in a statement released on Monday. He died at his home in Beverly Hills. Nancy Rhoda/The Tennessean

Aug. 29, 2016: Gene Wilder, the comedy icon, died from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Wilder was known for his roles in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and The Producers. Throughout his career, Wilder was nominated for two Oscars;best supporting actor in<i-family:>The Producersin 1969, and for best adaptedscreenplay with Brooks forBlazing Saddlesin 1975. He also won an Emmy in 2003 for his roll in Will & Grace. Wilder is also known for helping create theGilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Detection Center in Los Angeles as he was heavily involved in cancer awareness.He was 83.</i-family:> MYCHELE DANIAU/Getty Images

Aug. 23, 2016: Juan Gabriel, an iconic Mexican singer and songwriter, has died of a heart attack. Known as the "divo of Juarez" for his flamboyant style and high-energy pop, ranchera and rock ballads, he had put out more than 1500 songs through the course of his career. He started performing full-time at the age of 15 and had 20 Top 10 albums on Billboard’s Latin Pop Albums chart. He was 66. Getty Images

Aug. 16, 2016: John McLaughlin, the conservative political commentator and host of the namesake long-running television show that pioneered hollering-heads discussions of Washington politics, has died. According to an announcement on the Facebook page of "The McLaughlin Group" series, McLaughlin died Tuesday morning. No cause of death was mentioned, but an ailing McLaughlin had missed the taping for this past weekend's show for the first time in the series' 34 years. He was 89. Kevin Wolf/AP Photo

Aug. 14, 2016: Emmy-winning actor Fyvush Finkel, whose long career encompassed TV, film and theater, has died at his Manhattan home. Finkel got his start as a child performer, appearing in Yiddish theater productions in New York. He made his Broadway debut in "Fiddler on the Roof" in the 1960s. His films include "Q&A" (1990), "Nixon" (1995) and "A Serious Man" (2009). He achieved his greatest fame on television, winning an Emmy for playing a lawyer on "Picket Fences" and portraying a history teacher on more than 60 episodes of "Boston Public." His career never slowed; his last public performance was a New York cabaret show in July, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Finkel was 93. Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Aug. 23, 2016: Steven Hill, best known for playing gruff New York District Attorney Adam Schiff on NBC's Law & Order, died Tuesday in New York. His wife Rachel confirmed his death at Mt. Sinai Hospital to the Associated Press but didn't specify the cause of death, saying he'd suffered from multiple ailments. Hill was the longest-serving member of the original cast. His tenure on Law & Order far outlasted his other major TV role as Daniel Briggs on Mission Impossible, which he only played for one season. He was 94. Jessica Burstein/NBC

Aug. 19, 2016: Jack Riley, who played a counseling client on "The Bob Newhart Show" and also voiced a character on Nickelodeon's animated "Rugrats," died Friday. The actor died in Los Angeles, according to his representative Paul Doherty. The Cleveland native also voiced commercials and made guest appearances on numerous TV series including "Seinfeld," ''Night Court" and "Diff'rent Strokes." He was 80. AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, File

Aug. 17, 2016: Arthur Hiller, the versatile director who received an Oscar nomination for directing the hugely popular romantic tragedy "Love Story" during a career that spanned dozens of popular movies and TV shows, died Wednesday of natural causes. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced his death Wednesday. Hiller served as Academy president from 1993-97. Although since dismissed by some as overly syrupy, "Love Story," with Ali MacGraw (pictured with Hiller) and Ryan O'Neal as star-crossed Ivy League lovers, was one of the most popular movies of 1970, but one that almost didn't get made due to Paramount's rocky financial situation. Hiller was 92. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File

Aug. 11, 2016: Folk singer Glenn Yarbrough, who founded the popular trio the Limeliters in 1959, has died in Nashville. The singer left the group in 1963; two years later, he scored a major pop hit with "Baby the Rain Must Fall," the title song to a Steve McQueen film. In later years, the tenor occasionally reunited with the Limeliters and maintained a solo career through concerts and recordings. Yarbrough, who suffered from dementia, was 86. Special for The Republic

Aug. 6, 2016: Pete Fountain, a Dixieland clarinet player who achieved great popularity in the '50s and '60s thanks to his swinging musical style, has died. Fountain, seen in 2011, recorded a 1959 version of "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" that became his signature tune and inspired the title of his 1972 memoir, "A Closer Walk." His TV career started on "The Lawrence Welk Show;" later came more than 50 appearances on Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show" and 56 record albums. He announced his retirement from music in 2014. Fountain, who died of heart failure, was 86. Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

July 19, 2016: Hollywood actor, director, writer and producer Garry Marshall died at 5 p.m. PT Tuesday from complications of pneumonia following a stroke at a hospital in Burbank, Calif. He was 81. His first TV hit was The Odd Couple. Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley (which starred his sister, Penny Marshall) and Mork & Mindy (which introduced the world to Robin Williams) are among his other hit sitcoms. Matt Mendelsohn/USA TODAY

Aug. 13, 2016: British actor Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in the first six films in the "Star Wars" franchise, has died. His other movies include "Willow," "Labyrinth," "Amadeus," "Time Bandits" and "The Elephant Man." "A great one," director Guillermo del Toro posted on Twitter. "And, like Napoleon, his stature was measured not from head-to-ground but head-to-sky." Baker, seen in 2007, was 81. Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

July 3, 2016: Noel Neill, the actress who was the first to play Superman's love interest, Lois Lane, on screen has died. Noel Neill was 95. Neill's biographer Larry Ward tells The Associated Press that she died Sunday at her home in Tucson, Arizona, following a long illness. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

June 23, 2016: Bluegrass icon Ralph Stanley has died after a battle with skin cancer. A singer and banjo player, Stanley formed the Clinch Mountain Boys in 1946 with his brother, Carter. After Carter died in 1966, Stanley kept the group going through the 21st century. His visibility increased after his work on the top-selling "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack in 2000, in which his performance of "O Death" earned a Grammy for best male vocal country performance. He was 89. Ed Rode/Associated Press

June 14, 2016: Ronnie Claire Edwards, veteran actress on the beloved TV series, The Waltons has died. She appeared in such movies as The Dead Pool (1988), Nobody’s Fool (1986), and 8 Seconds (1994). Her last role in a TV series was Harlene in 2007's 12 Miles of Bad Road, according to her IMDb page. She also was the author of several books and co-wrote a musical play. She passed peacefully in her sleep according to her Facebook page. She was 83. CBS Photo Archive, CBS via Getty Images

June 19, 2016: Anton Yelchin, a rising actor best known for playing Chekov in the rebooted "Star Trek" franchise, has died in a freak traffic collision, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The actor's other films include "Green Room" and the 2011 remake of "Fright Night." He was 27. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

June 14, 2016: Actress Ann Morgan Guilbert, who played busybody neighbor Millie Helper on the classic 1961-1966 sitcom "The Dick Van Dyke Show," has died after a battle with cancer. The comedic actress had a durable career, later playing Grandma Yetta on "The Nanny" in the '90s and appearing this year in two episodes of the CBS comedy "Life in Pieces." She was 87. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

June 18, 2016: Alejandro "Jano" Fuentes, who competed on the 2011 season of "La Voz," the Mexican edition of "The Voice," has died. The singer died in Chicago after being shot three times outside a school where he taught music. Fuentes was celebrating his 45th birthday with friends when the shooting occurred, the Associated Press reports. Singer Lucero, who coached Fuentes on the program, called him a "great friend, great artist" in a Twitter post. Fuentes (left) is seen in a March 13, 2016, photo with Miguel Angel Sanchez. Miguel Angel Sanchez/Associated Press

June 17, 2016: Actor Ron Lester, best-remembered for his role as an obese high-school football player in the 1999 film "Varsity Blues," has died. He also appeared in episodes of "Freaks and Geeks" and "Popular," as well as in the films "Good Burger" and "Not Another Teen Movie." The actor, seen in 2004, lost more than 300 pounds after undergoing weight-loss surgery in 2001. He later said his new appearance led to a decline in acting roles. He had been hospitalized since February due to liver and kidney problems, according to the Associated Press. He was 45. Mark Mainz/Getty Images

June 17, 2016: Comic actor Rubén Aguirre, known to Spanish-speaking audiences as Professor Jirafales on the long-running TV show "El Chavo del Ocho," has died of complications from pneumonia. The Mexican actor died at his home in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, according to La Voz. He was 82. Televisa

June 3, 2016: Muhammad Ali, widely hailed as the greatest heavyweight boxer in the sport's history, passed away at the age of 74 in Scottsdale, after being hospitalized a day earlier with a respiratory issue. Ali will be remembered for his personality, social activism, Olympic gold medal in 1960, and for uttering such famous phrases as "I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was" and "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1984 and lent his name to the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix which opened in 1997. The Lavidge Company

June 6, 2016: Theresa Saldana, who starred on the '90s cop show "The Commish," has died at age 61, according to TMZ. The actress also starred in such films as "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" and "Raging Bull." Saldana was violently attacked by a stalker in 1982; she later formed a victims-rights organization called Victims for Victims. In 1984, NBC broadcast a TV movie based on her life, "Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story." ABC